How many times have we -- in the midst of our busy and sometimes chaotic lives -- wished for a more peaceful life? How many of us long for stability, or at least say we do? Stability is constancy, immobility, steadiness, fixed, and settled. Peace is neutrality, calmness, lull, placidity, quiet, stillness. We say we want these things -- we often long for them. However, we are rarely satisfied when we have them.
Think about it. When we do finally get a quiet Saturday with nothing planned many of us complain of boredom. "There's nothing to do!" or "I'm bored!" We finally obtain the peace and stability we have so desired and we find ourselves bored because we are so accustomed to being constantly entertained. Some synonyms for boredom include sameness, familiarity, slowness, and routine. But aren't these the very things we say we want? Supposedly we yearn for a slower paced life and the comfort of routine and familiarity.
If we are really honest with ourselves then we must admit that most of us would not be satisfied living a stable, peaceful life. Most of us would find this kind of existence boring. Some antonyms of boredom include excitement, pleasure, elation, action, and entertainment. These are the American way! If we're not being entertained, feeling excited, or experiencing pleasure then we must be missing out. We don't really want the stability of engaging in the same routine, day after day.
There are, of course, exceptions, myself being one of them. I love boring days. I can spend them reading, napping, or chatting with friends and family without any pressure or time constraints.
These are just some things to think about. When you find yourself longing for peace and stability you might want to think twice. Do you really want these things? Or would that just be boring?
I think part of the problem is the general definition of peace. Personally, I don't see peace as some static, dull thing - but more of a dynamic current running through life. Sometimes, it's quiet and stillness. Other times, it's bustling with activity. But at the core, there isn't harming occurring or being perpetuated.
ReplyDeleteAs for stability, I think it's a story. What we think is stable isn't.
Your words are a fact of life.My dear friend thanks for your kind comments and for your visits cordial greetings Jose Ramon.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused. Some of the most stable people I know are also the busiest. Are you saying that stability means not doing anything? I think you're talking about two different issues as one here.
ReplyDeleteAs for being bored when there's nothing to do. I think you've written a lot of good things about mindfulness in the past. If you can live in and enjoy the moment (it sounds like you do in your downtime) downtime will not be boring.
Thanks for writing.
Stability leads to routine which bores me to tears. I try to think out of the box and set a course for new adventures. I'm not always successful but make it a point to do new things and am generally rewarded.
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