Boredom Weeds

   Evagrius, the desert Egyptian monk, once called the most difficult human temptation, acedie, or “the noonday demon”. This tempting spirit is that invasive presence between the hottest part of the day, when the color of monotony and boredom begin to appear. Here, in the refugee camp, on weekends, acedie finds itself afflicting many young people. Yet there is another spirit that looms other garments for many. My two house students, So Nga Gay and Washee, tell me that if they are bored, they have a long list of ways to combat the acedie, to best reflect what Annie Dillard once said, “Spend the afternoon. You can’t take it with you.” Their list includes the following suggestions (notice there are no options involving electricity): 1. Walk somewhere, especially to visit someone; 2. Listen to music, starting with your own voice; sing a song you know; 3. Find a guitar and make up a song; it doesn’t matter if it has no melody or you “can’t sing well”; 4. Read a book; 5. Write a book; 6. Play caneball or soccer; 7. Did I say it before? Visit people. It helps if boredom is never alone.