Boredom Is a Choice

We visit a lake and quickly realize that we're under-prepared. We have water, but we don't have swimming clothes or a football or a Frisbee. It's already getting hot and I'm wondering how long it will last. 

It's the perfect time to sink into boredom. 

However, that's not what happens. We skip rocks until we run out of flat rocks to throw. We take a drink and then toss around the water bottle. Can the kids get hurt? Maybe. Do they get hurt? Yeah, Micah ends up with a bump on his head from a bad throw that lands in just the wrong way. Is it still worth it? Yep. He has a battle wound. 

The game evolves from a simple game of catch into a game of points (where you earn points for throws, kicks and catches). We're all working against ourselves trying to beat the record. It's silly. We find ourselves laughing and screaming and doing things you don't get to do when you're indoors. 

I'm reminded of a mantra in our house. 

Boredom is a choice. 

The goal isn't to occupy yourself with devices and keep yourself distracted. The goal is to say, "Here are my limitations. Now what can I do that is fun, meaningful or challenging?" Sometimes we play mental math games. Sometimes we tell stories. Sometimes we throw empty water bottles around and invent new games. 

People want their kids to grow up to be happy. I get that. A part of me wants that for my own kids. But I also want them to grow up to experience life to the fullest. I want them to avoid the boring life of quiet desperation. I'm hoping they'll grow up to believe that they can always choose to pull themselves out of boredom.