a certain kind of gift

Those born to wealth, and who have the means of gratifying every wish know not what is the real happiness of life, just as those who have been tossed on the stormy waters of the ocean on a few frail planks can alone realize the blessings of fair weather.

-The Count of Monte Cristo

on being bored

You ought not to be bored and you cannot be.

You have music, which you appreciate, books, study;

your whole life lies before you,

and now or never is the time to prepare for it

and save yourself future regrets

A year hence it will be too late.

- from Family Happiness by Leo Tolstoy

The Beatles saved the world from boredom, says George Harrison. Indeed. Well, one could spend time planning for the future (a most productive way); one will never run out of things to be ready for. At times though, one could spend a day procrastinating or just sleeping.

The point is one should find something to do. Boredom could just kill you.

broken

Everything has a purpose, even machines.

Clocks tell the time, and trains take you places.

They do what they're meant to do.

Like Monsieur Cabisse

Maybe that's why broken machines make me so sad.

They can't do what they're meant to do.

Maybe it's the same with people.

If you lose your purpose, it's like you're broken.

--- Hugo Cabret, from the film Hugo