Quote: Boredom is Your Own Fault
Apr 25th, 2007 by jeremy
Being bored is an insult to oneself.
– Jules Renard
I love this quote. I recite it to my kids, though I know they don’t grasp the concept behind it quite yet. I think this whenever someone comments on how where I live is boring or that there is nothing fun to do around here. Doesn’t it just drive you batty when people think this? Of course there may not be the kind of things they are looking for, but I definitely find so many things i love do to in the great outdoors where I live.
How we use our time is our decision, especially the “free” time we have when we are not working or doing other specific obligations. We can choose to fill this time with worthwhile, enjoyable activities; or, we can choose to do nothing of worth and find ourselves bored silly. The choice is up to you.
So, next time you are feeling bored, run this quote through your mind and see how you can fill your time with something not quite so boring!
I couldn’t agree more on this subject. My youngest has got a room full of toys and often “bores” me with “I don’t know what to do”. most of the times I realize it’s my own fault. Life is indeed full of joyfull things to do, and we are the ones to teach our kids!
“If you want to see what children can do, you must stop giving them things.”
- Douglas, Norman
You know what I find interesting? When I was kid growing up in the late 60’s early 70’s….being ‘bored’ was unheard of! Here we were, in an era of no computers, no cell phones, no ipods, no hand held devices…and yet all day long was full of adventure and fun! Kids today don’t know how to use their imaginations the good Lord gave them!
Whether we were playing in the creek catching tadpols, or running barefoot through the nearby woods, finding ways to build a playhouse out of pine needles and branches, we seemed to be busy all day long! My mom had to practically drag us back in the house after a long day of imaginary playtime, to eat dinner! We could turn our swing set in the back yard into a pirate ship sailing the seven seas or a space shuttle exploring planets in galaxies ‘far,far, away…’ we would ride our bikes or travel on skateboards and scooters with friends, down to the corner 7- 11 for an “Icee”. Raining outside? No problem! We could build a fort with the couch cushions and blankets! lol Or see how high we could make a stack of playing cards into a tower…of course there was the old stand by…a rousing game of Monopoly that my older brother could beat us at every time! lol I even learned how to play chess and poker at a young age! Thinking games, my dad called it…games you had to use brains for. Funny how we had tons of toys , but preferred make believe games! As an adult now….I still can entertain myself easily with projects or just reading a good book… I am so gratefull for the era I grew up in and I sometimes feel the children of this generation are missing out so much! When’s the last time you took your child for a long walk and just enjoy the nature around them without the distractions of the world today? I agree with the topic title….boredom IS your own fault…:)
Anita - I love your quote about kids. It is so true that if we continue to bombard them with new things, they are never forced to use their own creativity to do more with what they already have!
Lainers - I remember those youthful days fondly as well. We did so much with so little, and days were always full!