Presidents Blurb: August 2021

It’s been a long, hot summer. But, one thing I can say for sure - it certainly hasn’t been boring.

We just spent 2.5 weeks packing up and then moving our son and his family to Wyoming. Thought we were leaving the hot temperatures behind, but of course, they were having a heat wave! And, since it’s usually cool, no A/C. This week we’ll be packing and moving my 96 year old mom to Lafayette. At least there will be A/C! And speaking of no time for being bored, Simone found this interesting article about the benefits of boredom!

CREATIVITY Research Suggests We're All Getting Less Creative and Scientists Think They Know Why BY JESSICA STILLMAN

"A researcher at the University of William and Mary analyzed 300,000 Torrance Test scores since the '50s. She found that creativity scores began to nosedive in 1990. She concluded that we're now facing a 'creativity crisis,'" reported author Michael Easter on Medium recently. That sounds alarming, but the good news is that, unlike the decline in IQ scores, scientists have a pretty good guess what's causing our collective creativity to tank. Scientists blame "our hurried, over-scheduled lives" and "ever increasing amounts of (time) interacting with electronic entertainment devices," Easter explains. In short, we're too busy and entertained for creativity to blossom.

Gone are the days where childhood was largely spent in unsupervised rambles and imaginary play. And we're generally just as overscheduled and overstimulated as adults. Many folks in the middle of midlife pandemonium struggle to find time to keep up with their email and brush their teeth, more or less putter and ponder. Which is just what creativity demands. Science shows that boredom actually increases creativity, as do activities like long walks (and showers) that demand just enough attention to allow our minds to wander. Einstein understood this. That's why he spent hours floating on his sailboat letting his mind gestate the brilliant ideas that revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.

​The good news is that just as scientists are clear about the cause of our "creativity crisis," they are clear on what individuals can do to reclaim their natural inventiveness. Actively scheduling time to think, reflect, and experiment into your days, putting reasonable boundaries on your use of passive tech), varying your routine and your company, and getting out for more long walks can all help ensure you’re bucking the trend and nurturing your personal creativity.

“I’m a big believer in boredom. Boredom allows one to indulge in curiosity, and out of curiosity comes everything.” Steve Jobs

“Being bored is a precious thing, a state of mind we should pursue. Once boredom sets in, our minds begin to wander, looking for something exciting, something interesting to land on. And that’s where creativity arises.” Peter Bregman

“Boredom is your window… Once this window opens, don’t try to shut it; on the contrary, throw it wide open.” Joseph Brodsky

“Creativity is the residue of time wasted.” Albert Einstein

The trouble is we live in an age in which we never give ourselves the chance to be bored. All the entertainment we can dream of is at our fingertips. It’s time for us all to recognize boredom as a delicacy.

Pamper yourself this summer with a little boredom...your creative side will thank you.

Terry L Palmer LAA President