Prose Corner: Positively Inspiring Others, All Work and No Play

“All work and no play makes Jack (Jill) a dull boy (girl)”, an old proverb originated in 1659 in a book by James Howell. However, even further back historically to 2400 BC in Egypt, Ptahotep, a priest who wrote the first book of wisdom, believed that no man is born wise, stated the same proverb, but in different words.

This proverb is interpreted to say, balance work with play or your life becomes boring.

Some of my favorite usage of this proverb have been in movies, music, and TV shows. Worth noting here are: The Temptations song, “Let Your Hair Down”; In the movie ‘The Shining” starring Jack Nicklson; On TV in The Jefferson and recently on Downtown Abby.

Those lines were used for certain characters to refer to finding balance in all areas of daily living to avoid boredom. Most people, whether real or fictional at times, have to be reminded by a friend or an acquaintance that they either work too much and do not play enough.

 Growing up in a rural farming community in Charlotte County, work from sun up to sundown was the norm. Up at the crack of day to do chores: cooking, cleaning, washing & ironing. No day was sacred, not even Sunday, because you served big Sunday Dinner which you prepared on Saturday.

After clean upon Sunday, you spent the rest of the time getting ready for Monday. We worked all the time. We got to play at school during recess with our friends. I loved it when I got to spend the night with my friends, because it meant no chores and we played games outside. 

July and August are traditionally the time of the year for cookouts, block parties, outdoor festivals, and having “Hot Fun in the summer Time”, and Family reunions. A lot of people go on vacations to the beach or to some destination for relaxation. Sounds like fun to me. What about you? Having FUN is synonymous with play!

As kids we did simple things like dancing in an afternoon summer shower of rain that cooled off of a hot day, made mud pies from the red clay, played hopscotch or we made up our own games using our imagination like “Mother May I” or some of us have played dominoes, spades, and checkers. My mother used to dance and sing with her broom to her favorite song all over our house, I am sure you have some activities that bring joy to your soul and FUN to your inner state of being that externally avert bordorem.

 Now as an adult, I am keenly aware that life is lived from the inside out. We can plan and do many activities externally, however, being in tune with our authentic self/ your Divine guidance is key to not being bored out of our minds. These are my top seven keys that I now choose to stop boredom from taking root in my inner domain:

 7—Live each moment in the Now with an attitude of gratitude for being alive! Greet each day with zest and enthusiasm!

  6 – Hang out with positive people! (my grandmother always told me,” if lay down with dogs you might get fleas”).

 5 – Do acts of kindness laced with compassion for friends or neighbors. Grandmother Violet always said “you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar”.

 4. Sow seeds of forgiveness and love.

  3. Weave new patterns of behavior into the fabric of your life. Each ending is a new beginning.

 2. Find Joy and Beauty in simplicity!

 1. Smile and live totally from your heart!

In this whole process of living, know that you cannot expect other to fix your boredom nor fill you from the inside out. It’s your responsibility to take care of you and ensure that your life is “AWESOME” so that you can “Positively Inspire” others by your example.