Boredom is the Artist’s Tool

 February 16, 2017

Ordinary Time

Boredom is a great tool. It is the artist’s tool. I had never considered boredom as being good till reading a book on art that claimed boredom as a tool. Only boring people are bored, I used to think. How could anyone be bored when there is so much to do, so much to think about each day? Who had the leisure to be bored?

Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, we have all heard at one time or another, and I have witnessed the truth of this. I’ve seen children pick fights on hot summer days and bored teens getting into trouble.

But sometimes out of boredom comes great insights, new ways of doing, great creativity. Sometimes it is only after doing something one thousand times that we are inspired to do it anew, in a new fashion. Sometimes it is only after seeing something a thousand times that we see it for what it really is, for all the potential it holds. Sometimes it is only after living a lifetime with the same person that we actually come to know them for who they are. Sometimes it is only after reading Scripture for the thousandth time that we begin to understand and appreciate what we have.

Boredom isn’t always an evil to be avoided at all costs. Welcome boredom and the creativity it can bring.

Blessed is the man who has patience and perseveres until the one thousand three hundred thirty five days.   Daniel 12:12

This post is part of a series of reflections on the Church year.   click here to follow blog