We think of boredom as that benign, uneasy feeling we have while waiting in line. But there is more.

Boredom is distraction. Our boredom pushes us to surf the web when we ought to be working on an important project or studying for a test.

Boredom is fear. It is the fear we have of being with our thoughts, our feelings and our selves. It is our aversion to our own mundane existance.

Boredom is a withdrawal symptom of our addiction to stimulation. Fleeing boredom is a Faustian bargain. It drives us to trade creation for recreation, focus for procrastination, and meaning for pleasure.

To deal with boredom, embrace it. On the other side of boredom, you will find focus, creativity and inner-peace.