How to Make Your Life More Interesting

“May you live in interesting times!”  -  An ancient Chinese curse.

As I have found out, one way to do it is to go around asking people what they will do to make their lives more interesting. Their answers were, to say the least, “interesting”!

Here are some suggestions:

For the brave…
Ask your boss why you have not been promoted recently (and see what excuses he can come up with).
Pick the biggest, meanest looking guy in a pub and strike up a conversation about politics, sex and religion.
Tell your bank manager you need an overdraft to go to Mauritius for three months while taking unpaid leave.
Hide the TV remote from your dad.

For the bored…

Talk to strangers: the benefit of making small talk to people at shops, while standing in queues or at the petrol station is that you could end up making great new friends.
Google it. Think of at least one subject a day you know nothing about (the more absurd, the better) and Google the answer. For instance, the other day I wondered if we will ever run out of space in cyberspace…
Get lost. Switch the Garmin off and try to locate a new place without proper directions. By getting lost you may discover all kinds of interesting places you never knew existed, including Nylstroom… but that’s another story.
Ask telemarketers who they are, how they are, what their dreams and ambitions are…

For the homebodies…-  

Change at least one ingredient in every new  recipe you try. And try at least one new recipe a week.
Have kids and or grandchildren (this may involve some cooperation from family members).
Give other people’s kids vuvuzelas for their birthdays, Christmas or sommer net.
Make an ‘embarrassing pictures’ photo album. (Better than a shotgun for putting off your daughter’s unsuitable boyfriends).

For the borderline insane…
Switch your cell phone off for a whole day.
Let your teenage son/brother borrow your brand new car.
Memorise the names of all the American presidents, all the goal scorers in Soccer World Cup tournaments, Miss Worlds, Springbok captains … and then explain WHY.
Play backyard cricket blindfolded.
Pretend you have an imaginary friend and talk to him or her, out loud, in public.
Make a list about how to make your life more interesting… daily!

But whatever you do, always have cream with your hot chocolate and compassion for others’ way of life.

- By Lelanie Boullé