The other day, I posted about reading through my past posts and discovering that I have been boring. At the very least, the topics arose out of the mundane. Several of you took issue with that and pointed out in several ways that I must either be suffering from a head injury and/or I was delusional.
Actually, I was neither. I was trying to make the point that, in writing my blog, I usually explored things going on in my life. In good times, life is often mundane, or predictable, and that’s not a bad thing. Character is measured as much by how we deal with the mundane or boring aspects of life as it is measured by how we handle crisis.
I shared my oldest daughter’s attitude when she was a teenager that everything was boring. I pointed out that one day she would hope for boring. I really think that is true. There have been times in my life where it seemed I moved from one crisis to the next for long periods. When that happened I ended up physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. When boredom finally set it, I knew that I had weathered the storm and life was back to normal and I could heave a sigh of relief.
Over the weekend, I watched an episode of CSI where a group of teenagers got their kicks by attacking and savagely beating tourists. When a young girl was asked why she participated in such activities, she replied, "There’s nothing else to do." In other words, "I was bored, so I decided to attack and injure perfect strangers, and ruin their lives."
Even though that was a fictional television show, there were parallels to real life. We’ve all seen the news stories. I can’t help wondering why kids make such poor choices when they find themselves with too much time on their hands. Why don’t they make the choice to use their free time to perform acts of service? Have we failed as adults? As parents?
Even adults can turn to questionable activities when boredom becomes an issue. So it’s not just a question of maturity. That’s why I think character is defined not only by how well we respond to adversity, but also by how we handle the mundane.
Oh! The other good thing that came from my post the other day is that some of you were very complimentary. My ego loved the strokes and I thank you from the bottom of my keyboard!
Good points like anything in life to much of one thing is not a perfect scenario..a balnced mixture is always best….the hard part is finding and keeping that balance…
robert bourne’s last blog post..The Gathering of the Unknown..Full Story
Robert: You are right about finding the balance. I think one’s healthy attempts to find that balance is what true happiness is all about. The closer you get, the happier you are.
I think I saw that episode of CSI. When I was I kid I wasn’t allowed an idle moment and if I dared complain of boredom my mother quickly found housework for me to do or a younger sibling to take care of…. I learned to hide away with a book. I think the problem today is that kids are inundated with every form of entertainment there is and they have lost their creativity. They are always looking for instant gratification…
Just a thought
dawn’s last blog post..Poor Wife
Dawn: When I was 12 my parents opened a country store with two gas pumps. It was in response to my begging them to do it. For the next couple of years I worked in stores that my parents owned, so I didn’t have much time to get in trouble or be bored. You’re right about the instant gratification. I think all the “modern conveniences” we have is only partly to blame. Parents have taken all of those modern gadgets and substituted them from good parenting practices.
Thanks, Dawn. This was a fun meme to do.
Dear Lee,
Great post – and I agree with you about being able to handle the mundane as well as the exciting times in our life.
I came across your blog after reading your comment on Go! Smell the Flowers post today about rude comments etc.
Keep up the good work!
Arvind
Arvind Devalia’s last blog post..Lessons in Compassion from my Father
Arvind: Welcome to Tar Heel Ramblings! And thank you for you kind comments.