QOTD – Idle Hands

 

“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.” ~ Proverbs 16:27

At least the first part of this has become one of the quintessential old wives sayings, and rightfully so as it’s from one of the oldest books in the history of the world. I always took it as ‘being bored makes you mean’ and I think that’s especially true in our society today.

I’m the kind of person who can’t just do absolutely nothing. Even when I’m “relaxing”, I’m usually thinking of all the things I should be doing, or working out problems in my head related to work, or thinking of how better to organize my house. My husband just took off for the rig this morning. After a long day of work, I started talking to him on the phone while walking around cleaning and decided that as soon as I finish writing this post, I’m going to run over True Value, pick up a heavy duty shelf, and create a pantry in the basement where my husband will continue to complain that he can’t find anything because I hide things all over the house. Afterwards, I’ll probably do some more work.

I don’t honestly know many people my age or younger who work at staying busy as much as I do. Our young people have enough time on their hands to think of all the ways that saying “good morning” is offensive. They complain about the very idea that other people might have a different perspective than them. They speak condescendingly to people who espouse an opinion that is Very Wrong, expecting the world to kowtow to their intelligence. They are too busy thinking of ways to ruin another person’s day to get some real life experiences or work on something productive.

Not staying busy leads to an extreme onset of boredom, in which a person might invent new forms of drama to keep themselves busy. Like saying that you hate a person you already hated even more because they didn’t say they hate someone that everyone should hate. Boredom. You know what I don’t care about? That the President didn’t condemn Nazis hard enough to suit some bored millennials. Or that the President had an extra scoop of ice cream for dessert. Or that the President may or may not be secretly Putin in a wig and mask according to anonymous sources who are $100% telling the truth to very credible news outlets. I find it ridiculous that anyone could possibly be so bored as to worry about this meaningless drivel.

Even if you can’t afford to travel the world, you can do things to make your community and your home better. Or maybe you’d rather care about two scoops and stay bored.

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  1. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Idle hands will indeed find ways to busy themselves with mischief. Thanks, J.D.

    This is an entry in the Quote of the Day Series, a member-led revolution* on Ricochet. If you would like to sign up for the revolution, bring your quote and sign up here.

    * Not really a revolution, but definitely created, coördinated, and all written by average Ricochet members.

    • #1
  2. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    I’ve often thought that one of the main reasons the 1960s happened was too much free time. Thanks to modern conveniences, the Baby Boomers had more leisure time than any previous generation. So much free time to sit around the student union pontificating about the evils of capitalism. And look where it got us.

    • #2
  3. She Member
    She
    @She

    Splendid post.

    I’d write more, but I’ve got too much to do . . . .

    • #3
  4. OldDan Rhody Member
    OldDan Rhody
    @OldDanRhody

    When I vacation (usually having been pressed into service) I try to bring along some project to work on: otherwise toooo boring.  Besides which, it’s harder to think when surrounded by “fun-fun-fun!”.  Humbug!

    • #4
  5. J.D. Snapp Coolidge
    J.D. Snapp
    @JulieSnapp

    OldDan Rhody (View Comment):
    When I vacation (usually having been pressed into service) I try to bring along some project to work on: otherwise toooo boring. Besides which, it’s harder to think when surrounded by “fun-fun-fun!”. Humbug!

    I take my work laptop with me on vacation because, inevitably, something blows up so my help is needed and I get aggravated with horrible descriptions of the problem over the phone.

    • #5
  6. Pilli Inactive
    Pilli
    @Pilli

    I must have an incredible capacity for boredom.  I can sit and watch someone else work for hours on end and never offer to help.  I can watch grass grow and not get bored.  I can watch paint dry and find it fascinating.  I enjoy watching golf on TV.  I enjoy watching sailboats race.  I have been known to bet on which snail will get to the crack in the sidewalk first.

    OK, not much of that is true. You decide which is.  But you have to admit, I had you going there.  Hmmm, I’m bored.  What else can I get into?

    • #6
  7. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    J.D. Snapp: idle lips are his mouthpiece

    What are we supposed to to with these? Eat Snickers or something?

    • #7
  8. Hypatia Member
    Hypatia
    @

    Idle thighs are the Devil’s lap.

    Idle feet are the Devil’s Uber.

    An idle stomach is the Devil’s larder.

    • #8
  9. Scott Wilmot Member
    Scott Wilmot
    @ScottWilmot

    I’m retired (I know longer have to go to the rig!) but like you, can’t relax. I take care of an 89 acre Ohio farm from mid-May to Mid October and a 62 acre TX ranch the rest of the year. When I’m not working on one, I’m thinking of all the stuff I have to do on the other. I think I got my work genes from my paternal grandfather and maternal grandmother – they were great role models. I think St. Paul had something to say about this topic also.

    • #9
  10. J.D. Snapp Coolidge
    J.D. Snapp
    @JulieSnapp

    Pilli (View Comment):
    I must have an incredible capacity for boredom. I can sit and watch someone else work for hours on end and never offer to help. I can watch grass grow and not get bored. I can watch paint dry and find it fascinating. I enjoy watching golf on TV. I enjoy watching sailboats race. I have been known to bet on which snail will get to the crack in the sidewalk first.

    OK, not much of that is true. You decide which is. But you have to admit, I had you going there. Hmmm, I’m bored. What else can I get into?

    Curling

    • #10
  11. J.D. Snapp Coolidge
    J.D. Snapp
    @JulieSnapp

    Scott Wilmot (View Comment):
    I’m retired (I know longer have to go to the rig!) but like you, can’t relax. I take care of an 89 acre Ohio farm from mid-May to Mid October and a 62 acre TX ranch the rest of the year. When I’m not working on one, I’m thinking of all the stuff I have to do on the other. I think I got my work genes from my paternal grandfather and maternal grandmother – they were great role models. I think St. Paul had something to say about this topic also.

    Also a great verse! :)

    I’ve been asked before “If you won the lottery, would you still work?” My answer is: yes. Even if I didn’t have to earn money, I would still find some way to stay busy be it volunteering or starting up a homestead (which is a future dream).

    • #11
  12. Scott Wilmot Member
    Scott Wilmot
    @ScottWilmot

    J.D. Snapp (View Comment):
    starting up a homestead (which is a future dream).

    That is what we are doing in Texas.

    • #12
  13. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    Scott Wilmot (View Comment):

    J.D. Snapp (View Comment):
    starting up a homestead (which is a future dream).

    That is what we are doing in Texas.

    Can I come and visit? You guys* can put me to work!

    *how a SoCal girl born of Yankee parents says “y’all” and it does mean everyone

    • #13
  14. J.D. Snapp Coolidge
    J.D. Snapp
    @JulieSnapp

    Scott Wilmot (View Comment):

    J.D. Snapp (View Comment):
    starting up a homestead (which is a future dream).

    That is what we are doing in Texas.

    I’m actually incredibly jealous. I’m hoping in the next decade, we can buy a few acres, build a house, and get some chickens and a dairy cow.

    • #14
  15. Scott Wilmot Member
    Scott Wilmot
    @ScottWilmot

    MLH (View Comment):
    Can I come and visit? You guys* can put me to work!

    *how a SoCal girl born of Yankee parents says “y’all” and it does mean everyone

    Sure – I’ll be back there in October – and we’ll teach you how to say y’all and all y’all and what the difference is. There is always lots of work.

    • #15
  16. Qoumidan Coolidge
    Qoumidan
    @Qoumidan

    Today was a hellish day of miserable mothering.  I shall hide in my dark closet and watch YouTube until I’m hungry enough to do something.

    • #16
  17. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    Qoumidan (View Comment):
    Today was a hellish day of miserable mothering. I shall hide in my dark closet and watch YouTube until I’m hungry enough to do something.

    Or come over to the Chix PIT for some tea or other adult beverage!

    • #17
  18. J.D. Snapp Coolidge
    J.D. Snapp
    @JulieSnapp

    Scott Wilmot (View Comment):

    MLH (View Comment):
    Can I come and visit? You guys* can put me to work!

    *how a SoCal girl born of Yankee parents says “y’all” and it does mean everyone

    Sure – I’ll be back there in October – and we’ll teach you how to say y’all and all y’all and what the difference is. There is always lots of work.

    Gotta show her how to make sweet tea too! Though I think I’ll actually have the opportunity in the Montana meetup next month.

    • #18
  19. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    J.D. Snapp (View Comment):

    Scott Wilmot (View Comment):

    MLH (View Comment):
    Can I come and visit? You guys* can put me to work!

    *how a SoCal girl born of Yankee parents says “y’all” and it does mean everyone

    Sure – I’ll be back there in October – and we’ll teach you how to say y’all and all y’all and what the difference is. There is always lots of work.

    Gotta show her how to make sweet tea too! Though I think I’ll actually have the opportunity in the Montana meetup next month.

    My hiking buddy sometimes takes sweet tea on our long hikes. . .

    • #19
  20. doulalady Member
    doulalady
    @doulalady

    We are on holiday visiting the grandchildren. They have learned to leave Grandad alone except for the occasional hello and a smile. Last time, on the journey home, I asked him what he was doing on his computer all day. Apparently he has rigged it up so that he can still run the university accelerator while he’s on holiday…. ignoring his grandchildren.

    • #20
  21. J.D. Snapp Coolidge
    J.D. Snapp
    @JulieSnapp

    doulalady (View Comment):
    We are on holiday visiting the grandchildren. They have learned to leave Grandad alone except for the occasional hello and a smile. Last time, on the journey home, I asked him what he was doing on his computer all day. Apparently he has rigged it up so that he can still run the university accelerator while he’s on holiday…. ignoring his grandchildren.

    Well tell him to knock it off and spend time with his grandkids while he still has time to spend! I talk to my grandma on the phone about every day and I consider her one of my best friends.

    • #21
  22. Qoumidan Coolidge
    Qoumidan
    @Qoumidan

    MLH (View Comment):

    Qoumidan (View Comment):
    Today was a hellish day of miserable mothering. I shall hide in my dark closet and watch YouTube until I’m hungry enough to do something.

    Or come over to the Chix PIT for some tea or other adult beverage!

    I just meant that I’d been idle all day, possibly proving the author’s point, but I have bookmarked that thread now.

    • #22
  23. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    Qoumidan (View Comment):

    MLH (View Comment):

    Qoumidan (View Comment):
    Today was a hellish day of miserable mothering. I shall hide in my dark closet and watch YouTube until I’m hungry enough to do something.

    Or come over to the Chix PIT for some tea or other adult beverage!

    I just meant that I’d been idle all day, possibly proving the author’s point, but I have bookmarked that thread now.

    How can one be idle while mothering? It’s the most important job there is. (Today would be me mom’s 90th birthday.)

    • #23
  24. Qoumidan Coolidge
    Qoumidan
    @Qoumidan

    MLH (View Comment):

    Qoumidan (View Comment):

    MLH (View Comment):

    Qoumidan (View Comment):
    Today was a hellish day of miserable mothering. I shall hide in my dark closet and watch YouTube until I’m hungry enough to do something.

    Or come over to the Chix PIT for some tea or other adult beverage!

    I just meant that I’d been idle all day, possibly proving the author’s point, but I have bookmarked that thread now.

    How can one be idle while mothering? It’s the most important job there is. (Today would be me mom’s 90th birthday.)

    Perhaps I misunderstand the difference between idleness and accomplishing nothing.  I accomplished nothing yesterday and gave up trying.  I will note that I did feed the kids, tho.

    • #24
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