i'm bored

when is the last time you spoke those words? the last time i recall saying them was about 25 years ago.

for a long time, i didn't understand why or how people got bored. even when i am not doing anything (which is a rare occasion), i'm not bored. i'm thoroughly enjoying not doing anything. but i think i've realized the paradoxical secret. if you have nothing to do, doing nothing is no fun; even finding something to do is somewhat of a chore.

think about this: what's more fun than playing hooky? you know that you have (non-critical) work to be done, but yet you take the day off to loaf. it stirs up the old familiar feelings of childhood summers. ah, lighthearted freedom.

so.

take heed the next time you are tempted to say, "i'm bored." maybe you're not bored but lazy (are the dished done, the lawn mowed, the house clean, the laundry done?). maybe the life has been sucked out of you by a stressful job that you need to get out of (even a bike ride or a round of golf doesn't sound like fun?).

every week, i deliberate on how i'm going to possibly cram everything in: work on barni the bus, develop my product ideas, do my remodling, play with some friends (biking, climbing, golf or racquetball, anyone?), cook meals, do blog posts, keep the house kinda sorta clean, answer e-mails, watch my soap (on itunes - no commercials!), keep up with the latest news in my industry, attend a class or seminar, and maybe talk to my mother.

and next week, i'll start another gig. somehow, with travel time included, i'll have to find 50 extra hours every week.

i can't wait to play hooky. it's going to feel soooo good.