The mind needs adventure, at least something interesting to think about. Boredom is a thought about a lack of interest. When we think we are bored, we turn off our brains. Then, we can self-righteously believe that it is the situation, not us who is responsible for the boredom. This does not mean there are no uninteresting situations, because there are plenty. However, knowing that our minds have the capacity to make life interesting, we awaken greater interest by shifting how we focus the mind. This may help us produce changes to make life more fascinating

Zorba the Greek (1964) ,with Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates, reveals what would be like to be so excited to be alive that boredom would never exist. As Zorba, Quinn lives to dance, sing, and celebrate life. Bates plays Basil, a young English writer who has come to Greece to write a book about the Buddha. Whereas Zorba is playful and willing to take risks at all levels, Basil is reserved and careful. In contrast to the fullness of Zorba's life, Basil's has no zest. We watch as Zorba takes Basil under his wing and slowly teaches him to love and enjoy life. This is a "must see" movie for anyone who lives with boredom as a companion.

Your movie

In a moment, you will use your imagination to get a clearer picture of your inner movie about boredom. The point of understanding this pattern of thoughts, feelings, and effects is to deepen your awareness of its dynamics and impact, so you can make conscious choices and create a new movie to live within.

Recall a time when you were bored. Close your eyes and replay the experience in your imagination. Then, write a brief description of the drama below, carefully including the thoughts that supported the drama, the feelings that arose from those thoughts, and how those feelings affected what you said and did. (Enter your response in the following box or in your word processor window.)

What effects did this drama have on you and others?

Consequences

Briefly describe what you get from being bored. What are the payoffs?

Briefly describe the price you pay for it. What parts of yourself and your life do you sacrifice when your boredom becomes too extreme?

Is what you are getting in payoffs worth the sacrifices you are making? Explain.

New choices

Having become more aware of this movie, including what you get from it and what you sacrifice, what new choices in thinking and being are being revealed to you? Note them.

Create a new movie

Relying on those choices and your creativity, sketch out ideas for a different movie which incorporates new ways of thinking and being. As you create your new movie, be aware that you are of two minds because you have a dual nature. Your duality gives you the capacity to shift from one thought to its opposite in a search for balance. For example, there is a side of you that can be more fully engaged with life. How will cultivating that capacity alter how you live?

As you look back on your work, identify the first step you will take to make the changes you designed.

With your eyes closed, imagine living in your new movie.

Boredom is commonplace among the young and not as common in older adults. Yet, everyone has moments of boredom. Being bored and engaged are two sides of our nature. A little boredom makes us appreciate the times when our minds are fully engaged in a project, discussion, or activity. Boredom only becomes a problem when it reaches the point of being extreme. A little boredom serves us; a lot works against us. When we are bored, it can be our own thoughts creating it. "There is nothing to do" is a thought that, when we believe it is true, it becomes true. Living in that inner movie, we lose our excitement for living. By shifting to the side of us that can be engaged in life, we recover interest and vitality.

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