Destroy boredom by working.
When you apply this simple precept alone, you will have travelled at least fifty percent of the way towards happiness.
Look at farmers, carpenters, bakers and observe how, when they are working they recite words as melodious as the singing of the birds because they are content.
Afterwards observe yourself and how you toss and turn on your bed while wiping away your tears, always miserable, always torturing yourself…
(‘Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni)
Photo courtesy of William A Bolton
asalaam alaikum warahmat Allah wabarakatu:
i read this quote the other day in the book, mashaAllah..
this is the essence of occupational therapy, subhanAllah. meaningful, purposeful goal directed activities..and so beneficial if done for the ultimate goal of our Creator..
an excellent reminder for all of us i am sure, jazakAllah kheir Don’t-Be-Sad.
Peace, mercy and blessing upon you to,
Yes, this is towards the beginning of the book– it doesn’t take much to quote, rather all credit goes to and remains with the writer and source.
We all need reminding. The reminder is to myself first and then to others; we all easily forget.
Thank you for passing by, really. Do come again.
Thank you very much for this reminder, DBS—I tend to fall into boredom or lethargy very easily, but once I start doing something worthwhile it all goes away.
How so very true… If I am at home and start to feel down, I often get up and do some spring cleaning! Hence, the equation is: negative feelings = clean house. Not bad, eh??
wallahu’alam
Great advice DBS, thanks.
If I feel bored I remind myself of what John Taylors Gatto’s grandfather told him:
“One afternoon when I was seven I complained to him of boredom, and he batted me hard on the head. He told me that I was never to use that term in his presence again, that if I was bored it was my fault and no one else’s. The obligation to amuse and instruct myself was entirely my own, and people who didn’t know that were childish people, to be avoided if possible”.
This is so very DBS and I love JTG’s G quote by BM too. lol
I struggle with this a bit because I have become quite disabled and it even hurts quite a bit to type. I used to walk a lot and read a lot, but these past few weeks I’ve been suffering from a pinched nerve in my lower back. I can’t even sit or stand for long, I must lay down. Sometimes it’s very hard to adjust when you’re used to being an active person. I used to never get bored, but lately I have found I’m not just bored, I’m getting utterly depressed.
The pain is such that even talking to others is a strain. It takes so much energy to focus on what they’re saying and what I want to say back. Having the internet helps because I can open an interesting page to read and prop the laptop just right and then I can read totally relaxed and in a more comfortable position.
My good laptop allowed me to watch movies so I am looking forward to having it fixed. Until then this post is a good challenge to meditate more and search harder for worthwhile things to read online. My disability may not be my choice, but how I react and adjust to it is.
Assalam Alaykum
Jazakallah for sharing this beautiful and advisory post with us.
Wasalam
Very true indeed! One should always be involved in work, to keep away the shaitaani thoughts!
Peace be upon you all
So very encouraging to see so many people taking the time to start a discussion.
Baekho-Thank you sharing your experiences. I think for most of us, its quite mutual, but doing something worthwhile always seems so difficult…
D- A really curious equation, no it isn’t bad. Busying oneself, even with jobs that are not be so enjoyable often help.
BM- The quote you have shared is very poignant. Thank you for sharing, is is really valuable. I know a saying that goes…
“Only boring people get bored“…
I must say the thought of being bated around the head is a rather brutal one.
jayleen- Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to share your thoughts, jayleen- I understand that it isn’t as easy for you as others. It was heartening to read how you are dealing with the difficulty in your life and it is a lesson for us all. Surely though, after hardship and difficultly come ease.
Ahmed- Welcome to Dont be sad blog. How very kind of you to comment and participate. Yes, al-Qarni, writes beautifully. Do check back for future posts.
Mona- Welcome, welcome to Dont be sad blog. Good of you to stop by. Surely there is truth in the oft-repeated saying “an idle mind is the devils workshop..”
Thank you all once again for posting your valuable and worthwhile comments. Do please come again and feel free to explore.
Thank you.
Your post urged to think deeper, and thus I have grasped how even the workless disabled could recover from the weeping for their sad destiny – Thanksgiving is the “profession” that is impossible to lose in any circumstances.
In the light of the above, I see my health state as the precious gift that enables me to focus on the thanksgiving.
While thinking, I have grasped the deception of the typical mourning for having no work : people revive literally by rejoicing over the heavenly light – I too can participate in the life feast by expressing my gratitude for remaining alive and keeping the possibility to send my best wishes to you.
grateful disabled
Peace be upon you Tomas,
Good of you to return and share your experiences which curious to read. Certainly heath is a precious gift which often we do not value until too late.
Do visit again.