Boredom - A good thing?

​Have you ever been bored?  I have – ohhhhh those boring times!  Now, I long for the opportunity to be bored – to just think and dream. Those boring times have led me to some great ideas and reflections.  But in today’s world there is little time for boredom.  And no one wants to be bored.  Technology also provides us with endless opportunities – no need for boredom.  But have we lost something in this busy world that does not allow for boredom and contemplation? 
 
Just last week, I had this conversation with my third grade grandson:
 
Grandson:  I’m bored.
 
Me:  You’re bored?
 
Grandson:  There’s nothing to do.
 
Me:  You know what I read just the other day?
 
Grandson:  What?
 
Me:  I read that it’s good to be bored.  When you’re bored it triggers your mind to think.  It can get you to the creative part of your mind.  So do you think you could be okay with letting your mind be bored?  Just think a bit and try to get to your creative mind?
 
My grandson pauses and waits a few minutes.  I can tell he is thinking.
Grandson:  Well I’d like to make a 3-D picture.
 
Me:  So make it.
 
Grandson:  I might need help because I’m not good at it. 
 
Me:  If you need help, you can come to me, but try on your own first.
 
Grandson:  I don’t have any paper.
 
Me:  I just put a notebook on the shelf.  (I show him the shelf.)
 
My grandson sits and thinks and begins to work.  I continue with what I was doing.  After about ten minutes, he shows me a drawing of a cheetah. 
 
Grandson:  I’m not so good at this.
 
Me:  You’re better than me.
 
My grandson goes back to work.  He finishes the whole thing and did not ask for any help from me.  He explains to me how it works.  He shows me the 3-D movement.  He is excited about what he has done.
 
Me:  That’s using your creative mind!  Sometimes it’s good to be bored.
BEcky