“The only reason I’m letting you back into my life is because I know you’ll **** it up again and frankly, things have been a little boring lately.” (postsecrets.com)
I know that neither you nor I would EVER do something stupid just out of boredom, right? Right?
Truth be told, I sincerely believe that it is important to keep your life on purpose, full of meaningful tasks, or there is the real chance you WILL screw up just to create excitement.
Or more likely, you will run a risk, take a chance that you normally might not and, yep, a certain percentage of the time odds catch up with you and you will pay the piper big time. Two steps forward, ten steps back. Dumb.
This is really just an undated version of the old saying, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” Like many sayings, it has been around a long time because it’s true, and human nature has not changed much over the millennia.
As always, the challenge is to do as well as we know, to think first with our wise, civilized brains (and their knowledge of consequences) even when the reptilian brain is clawing, yowling, to be let lose. Self-knowledge is important. There are many ways to “take a walk on the wild side” and get 90% of the emotional benefit while running a mere fraction (if any) of the risk. That is what roller coasters are for: sensation of danger without the reality. Ditto a good thriller. A good workout burns off lots of excess energy as does a good competitive game of basketball, soccer, tennis, or racquetball.
Closing Quotes
“Therefore seith Seint Jerome: “Dooth somme goode dedes that the devel, which is oure enemy, ne fynde yow nat unocupied.”
— Geoffrey Chaucer, “Tale of Melibee,” c. 1683
“Friends, the idle brain is the devil’s playground.” — Meredith Wilson, “The Music Man”
“The devil tempts all men, but it is idle men that tempt the devil.” — Turkish proverb
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