In order for a plant to take root, some reasonably fertile soil is required. Also, moisture and sunlight are needed. Something similar is the case in other areas of life. For example rebellions or uprisings of one sort or another are the result of pre-existing conditions which serve as a precursor to such events.

One such fertile soil which is a precursor of much human mischief and misery is boredom.

In a previous piece I discussed the topic of depression and why it is so prevalent in these prosperous modern times, when opportunity and possibly are all about us. When I say us, I of course mean those of us in the civilized part of the world.

I pointed out that a lack of meaning and/or purpose is likely the root of the problem. Lacking such meaning or purpose leaves one in a state of boredom which may manifest in a number of ways, but two are more salient than the others.

The first is a passive variety which leads almost certainly to depression.

The second is an active variety which manifests in a passionate adoption of some cause which animates the person adopting it and provides a sense of purpose and a type of community.

It has been claimed that idle hands are the Devil's workshop. Being busy at something meaningful and useful is important for sound mental and emotional health. I plan to address this with regard to retirement in another piece.