In Praise of Boredom!
‘Exciting’ - how often does that word appear in advertising! Is this the ‘catchall’ emotion of our time? To be worthwhile, something must be experienced with excitement. Or does it? Look at how life really works. Long hard yards, seemingly monotonous go into scientistic discoveries, artistic creations, and even engineering feats. As for relationships - wind surfing together in a beautiful location might look exotic, but we know that true closeness is usually forged in the boring times of making meals and hearing the same story over again. Boredom is such situations can change us for the better. The confines of our self-identity are broken open and we are challenged to go beyond ourselves to love and serve in new ways.
This is what Jesus means in his call to take up our cross. It is not a ‘grit your teeth and put up with it’ mentality but a giving over of oneself in the commitment. This type of loving is not necessarily sweet and easy. It is usually a strange mixture of ‘one foot in front of the other’ doggedness combined with an attentiveness that is ready to see change and delight in it. In a strained marriage, it notices the chance to act differently, and positively, with the spouse. In parenting, it is constantly on the lookout to support and challenge the child.
The skills for this type of loving need to be passed on to our children. When the cry ‘I’m bored’ comes up, encourage them to keep going, positively, for a few more minutes. Show them how to be attentive to what they are doing. Help them to take up their cross and enter into life.
Loving God, you call me to a rich and full life and often that entails monotony and boredom. Let me embrace these as creative forces that would transform me and make me a more loving, life-giving person. I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.
Sr Kym Harris osb