It's a curious thing, boredom

To contest that I have nothing to do right now would be, put gently, wrong. This being said, if not for my spur of the moment decision to write a blog update, I would more than likely just be laid back on my thin futon (which is actually rated as a "3" thickness out of 6...it surprises me that these futons come thinner than the one I am presently planted on) watching a streaming video of Boondock Saints.

I do this myself, so please do not take this as a personal affront, or any other statement intended to mar any one person's character...I do not care for the constant connection of the word "bored" with the idea "I have nothing to do." Bored is defined by the Google dictionary as meaning "feeling weary because one is unoccupied or lacks interest in one's current activity." It says it right there: "because one is unoccupied." Not "because one is without something to do." Those are completely different ideas, and I sincerely believe that 99% of the time, what they truly mean is the latter part of the definition about a lack of interest.

I do not make this statement without evidence. Picture someone sitting on their one inch thick futon staring at their computer, not engaged in any particular activity, looking apparently "bored." Now, if you will, imagine this person receiving good news in a message on Facebook about having just received an internship or new job. What do you think happens at that point? Does that person continue to lay there, bored? Or do they find a new spirit to complete tasks that would otherwise be left undone for the time being? For example, picking up around their house, finding sudden inspiration to create a piece of art, go and exercise, etc.

You see, boredom has nothing to do with the availability of things to occupy one's time, I don't think. Rather, I believe boredom is simply a reflection of a deeper seated emotion. "I'm bored" may in fact mean "I'm homesick" or "I'm anxious." Take from this what you will. I may be spot on, or I may be completely off base.

All of this said, I do admit there are times in life where there really isn't a damn thing to do. I recommend naps during those times.