The Benefits of Doing

Which is better, boredom or being busy? Ok, now that you've read the question and have had sufficient time to ponder your first answer, let me ask it again. Really, which is better, boredom or being busy? If you haven't selected the second response, perhaps you should read on. If you did choose the second response, here might be the reason why.

Although we have the benefits of technology to make life a lot easier in many ways, humans are well equipped to be active 'do'ers. The opposable thumb. The capacity of intelligence. Speech and a written language. Emotions. Agency. The ability to reason. All of these attributes are not meant to sit idly by as life slips between the fingers like fine sand on a windy day. We were mae to do things!

Of course we can't be busy all the time. Some of us try to be or think we are, but there's this wonderful thing called sleep which eventually overtakes us. And even that's not enough down time. But too much relaxation leads to problems and dependence on the lack of work as a source of synthetic entertainment. TV, the computer, video games, or even extra sleep become high priority. Sure, it's fun at the time, but go on a quick journey through time and we'll see about that.

Think of your greatest accomplishment. The time when you fought to the end. The time when you didn't give up. The time when you wanted that one thing so much you did whatever was necessary to get there. And think of the arrival. Think of the personal satisfaction, the self-esteem boost, and everything you learned on the journey.

Think of the busiest time of your life. Some time when you had a regular commitment and your schedule required planning and maneuvering around many important things. When it all died down, how much had you accomplished?

Now, I ask again, which is more rewarding, that TV sitcom or doing something that leads to a result at the end? Not that there shouldn't be a balance somewhere, of course. Being that there is opposition in all things, if we aren't progressing, we're... digressing? If we're not learning, we're... forgetting? If we're not growing, we're... dying? Now that's an interesting thought.

However, as important as 'do'ing is, there is one more aspect that must be tied in. When you do, do your best. When we undertake something for the wrong reasons or lacking the right reasons, terrible things happen. Incompletion. A poor attitude. A poor end result. Something we aren't pleased with. When we do, and in doing do our best, it feels good. There's no question about that.

So go out this summer, and do a whole bunch of things. Make memories! Learn! Grow! Expand your paradigm! And who knows, you just might like it better than today's idolized 'vegetation.' Happy Trails!