Positive Reason for Change #3 – Change Eliminates Boredom

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”- Maya Angelou

“I’m bored” was an expression my mother never allowed in our home. Boredom was an unacceptable attitude. As an educator, she believed the attitude of “being bored” demonstrated an unwillingness to embrace the world that surrounds us with all its opportunities. It meant settling for the mundane and accepting the attitude of being lazy.

Instead, her response when our discontent was palatable would be, “Read a book, write a story, take a walk and collect specimens of unique flowers, or go, pick and sell the blueberries that grow along the path.” Mother believed anyone possessed the power eliminate boredom by simply changing their situation and changing their attitude. She encourages us to take the initiative and action necessary to move in a different direction.

As a result, my brother and I were never bored. At a young age my brother read the entire World Book Encyclopedia series word for word (yes, actual written encyclopedias were quite common before Google and my brother is now a doctor). I earned a lot of money from picking and selling blueberries, taking Christmas cards orders for Sunshine Card company, and peddling fresh baked goods (I made in our kitchen) door to door. I wrote, created and directed a neighborhood production of the book, “Snow White and Rose Red” in our garage, while parents watched their children with delight. I was running a summer childcare program in our home by the time I was thirteen. Life as the child of a teacher proved exciting and great fun!

Solomon, given the gift of wisdom from God in the Bible, writes “Lazy hands make a poor man, but diligent hands bring wealth,” and “The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.” (Proverbs 10:4, 26:15-16).

So if you or your child feels bored, take steps to actively eliminate the boredom. Choose to change your attitude. Attempt something new. Find a different direction. Open your eyes to fresh possibilities. Embrace the world around you and discover Your Refreshed Life!