BOREDOM is a CATALYST

i have always been intrigued by boredom. today i was with two 4 year olds and they claimed to be bored. i asked them what they wanted and that is where magic began. so often we turn to the TV, Video games, things OUTSIDE ourselves to entertain us, that we have forgotten our own innate possibilities. i know for me, when i feel "bored" i am missing a part of accessing something within myself. do i want to distract or feel? what is so wrong with feeling bored? in a way, it is a catalyst for me to begin to feel what it is i DO WANT to feel. it is a way of accessing more within myself- so it s not wrong or bad. it reminds me of my daughter on the airplane saying " i am bored" we were on a long flight and i could relate/empathize with her boredom of just "sitting there"- however when i shared with her that i was bored too...and maybe we could create something together her eyes lit up.
what was bored became an opportunity. this is why i teach play. for it is not childs play. boredom is not a childs word. i see it all the time. clients who come to me saying "i am just bored with my life- i do the same thing day to day, and i am just stuck and bored" and i say GREAT!!!!! cool place to be in. now what.
now what? what we DO with this feeling is what play is all about. two 4 years olds decided to play roller coaster with a laundry basket for almost 40 minutes. no other external "means" were needed. the interesting part is most people feel they just "dont have that" but i disagree. we have just been conditioned to fall back into OUTER means to "save us from our boredom"- yet do they encourage empowerment? do they encourage SELF reliance. it may sound harsh but when my daughter is bored i do not give her a TV show, i allow her to BE in it. i allow myself to BE in it. it feels uncomfy at first and then inspiration arises because i do not have distractions to veer me from FEELING it. i start writing or i realize i have more energy then i realize and i start moving my body, or whatever feels good in the moment.
as parents, too often we forget to just FEEL. we are so concerned in feeling it. we distract. and we teach our children to distract. whether we are parents or not, we have been conditioned to run from just being. just being may seem or feel boring but this space can be the catalyst for something magical to emerge. if only we would allow ourselves to feel it. i have been blessed to witness children and adults use their boredom as means for change. make mountains out of nothing and learn something NEW about life and themselves. it is a perspective.......when we feel bored it is a calling to notice. it is a calling to make choices.
to distract or create? how do you want to play?

i was emailed today from someone who asked ways to play with their kids. and i was inspired to share ways in which i have found to be fun and connecting. they are simple. one thing i have realized within myself is that we have all the resources to not only enjoy our lives, but to pass this on to our children. to demonstrate that time is not dictating for us,but we are the ones in charge of utilizing the time and making it COUNT for lifetimes.
play follow the leader. ask your child to be the leader. do what they do. all of the silliness. be in that. embrace it and notice how it feels to follow their lead. they dig this.why? because it gives them permission to be themselves and to see how you embrace THAT. turn off your cell phone. give yourself permission to unhook which immediately gives your children permission to as well. unhook from life's responsibilities and be in the moment of NOW. magic happens. nothing is holding you back and you are still okay. life goes on, and you have the moments to cherish with those you love.
all kids really want is presence. they do not need outside distractions, only those they love to BE WITH THEM in a way that is full and alive.
in a world that thrives and encourages distraction, to give yourself time to unhook.....is truly what keeps you alive and well. this is the best way to demonstrate wholeness and balance to those you love, especially your kids.
dance dance dance. put music on. who cares if you cant DANCE. it doesnt matter. what matters is connecting. laughing. embracing the simplicity of life with your children. there is no wrong in connecting. in fact, we are here to CONNECT to ourselves. our inner CHILD and not hide it. not mute it. but embrace it.
i triple dog dare you to embrace that part of you that just wants to sing out loud......

your kids will thank you....
for it sets them free. to be who they are..
and makes the world a more balanced and connected place to hang.