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I read the following quote decades ago and it has stuck in the back of my mind:
“If your life is boring, risk it.” While a bit extreme for most of us, that surely would require a focus of purpose and stimulation to address the apathy and diminished motivation, which are the by-products of boredom. So, if we modify the concept to make it more accessible, we might gravitate to “meeting challenges outside our comfort zone” as enough to inspire similar consistent attention to preparation and subsequent actions. The results, by definition, are personal growth and expansion of awareness of our capabilities.
Obviously, boredom is the ellipsis in the headline. Boredom is a state of mind characterized in a variety of ways by a lack of external stimulation and lack of internal motivation or sense of purpose. It can arise from life becoming too routine and repetitive. It can also be due to unmet expectations, whether they are realistic or just desired. OK, OK, what can we DO about it?
Fortunately, that question has some proven psychological insights. Consider the advantages of experiences over the much more common path of boredom avoidance in developed countries, buying something. From just going shopping to more significant purchases, studies clearly show the temporary boost provided by the fading value and the need for more by following this path. Clothes, cars, boats and other stuff are quickly accepted as representative of current wants, which will soon need yet another update.
Contrast this approach with something many of us have enjoyed and which, although it may have been years ago, continues to be a source of fond memories, inspired outlooks, personal rewards and yes, embellished stories. I’m talking about actually doing something new, exciting and challenging.
Each of us has different levels of what we can accept as challenging from the aforementioned risking of life by adrenaline junkies to what I’m saying is essential based on personal limits: risking failure. I’m saying we can’t really be challenging ourselves unless we’re risking something. Or put another way, some failure is both confirmation of our spirit to test ourselves and the confidence to accept our limits.
In choosing this challenging path, we meet new, less isolated, more adventurous people, some of whom may be even more apprehensive than we are about the challenge they’ve chosen to face. Positive outlooks prevail. Mutual support is relevant. I’ve mentioned this before (I’ve mentioned just about everything before in the 20+ years I’ve been writing these columns) but the power of positive thinking is just a veneer unless it’s the result of doing something to be positive about.
As always, it would be arrogant of me to think any of my readers need my advice, but I do hope that by sharing my viewpoint, some of you may do something I find myself doing just about every day: keeping an open mind, listening and seeing life from different perspectives. Because as far as I can tell, it’s rarely about right/wrong. We all see life differently. And with mutual respect, we can usually find ways to work through this life together.
In conclusion, this column suggests seeking challenges, not comforts, as the way to continue to grow and improve throughout our short, short lives.
Agree? Disagree? Brian Cole welcomes your viewpoints on his columns. He can be reached at 757-599-5999 or by email at Brian5995999@msn.com.