wisdom in boredom

my current practice is an odd one:

it is to allow myself

to be bored

it's a spin off

from my quitting pot and alcohol

for the year

i notice i am on the edge of boredom

often

i also notice an internalized voice

of the cultural meem

that says whatever you do

don't ever be boring/bored

it's an insidious value

i am thrilled to let go of

cuz when i let go of that attitude

a privilege of expected entertainment

life suddenly gets good

-----

boredom has many perks

it is a stone's throw away from serenity

often just needing a walk around the block

or a mandolin song to achieve

a glass of water

or an acknowledgment of sunshine

or i just take a breath

and then the next moment comes

boredom allows the mind to rest

the dreams to come forth

appetites to rise

it is perhaps an essential spiritual practice

I imagine it is an experience shared by all of humanity

but how often do we remember to enjoy it?

------

i do not need to go out

and seek some new experience

nor do i need to alter my situation internally

my intellectual capacities return in an integrated way

that is hard to pin down

but has something to do with an innate balance

between willing and allowing flow

that has rewoven itself

rather than 100 fascinations

i can hardly keep up with

that end up fizzling anyway

there is but an occasional interesting thought

arising out of a connected sort of usefulness

and carrying on toward its own destination

-----

mostly boredom keeps me connected with gratitude:

how luscious it is to have a cozy place to sleep

decent food to eat

work i enjoy

and a few friends to converse with

i look forward to developing simple hobbies

making sauerkraut at home maybe

a small garden plot

walking a friend's dog