A few months ago I was really bored and came up with an idea for a new chair design. I drew it up on the computer and was really happy with the look and feel. So we built it, resulting in the chair pictured below. The design is so different than my norm. Almost everybody that sees it asks if you can actually sit on it, then they try it out, and are surprised that it is pretty comfy.
As for the name, I was going over options, and remembered how I was feeling at the time. I was really bored, hence the name I’m Bored. The name got a few chuckles and questions from our team, customers and fans. That didn’t seem to be an appropriate name for this chair, as it was far from boring.
Zen Chair
Which leads me to Zen. I’ve been soul searching for around 20 years now. It started after I was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 21. Once you realize that the time you took for granted may be running out, it can challenge and change you. That experience turned out to be the best thing that ever happened. It gave me a glimpse of inner peace and true joy. That feeling slowly drifted away. I’ve stumbled my way back to this feeling several times, like when I went to some seminars, found my wife, created a new design, etc. But the feeling always dissipated. And knowing how I felt before, I knew I needed to pursue this. My life goal became spiritual enlightenment about 10 years ago. What could be better than feeling inner peace and joy, all the time?
This business quickly turned our lives upside down (my wife included). The work was gratifying, but it was endless! 40 hours a week became 50 hours, and that turned into 80+. We had our ups and downs, and I started to dislike all the responsibility I had created. It wasn’t fun anymore as this business was now a machine that needed constant attention or it would explode!
Zen Chair
Thankfully, my wife took many of my responsibilities over, and slowly handed them off to awesome people. This lightened the load, but it wasn’t until I found a new amazing therapist, did things truly turn around. And when I read the book “The Power of Now”, by Eckhart Tolle, it all came together. Which brings me back to this chair. I thought I was feeling bored, but really I was transitioning from somebody with a racing mind, constantly thinking and worrying about the past and future, to feeling inner peace, or Zen. My mind became still for most of the day. I became present in my life, living for the moment. It feels like meditation, but all the time.
You might be asking, why I am telling you this? I’m writing this because it feels good to get it out (part of my well being)! Or even asking, how I did this? And it really was simple, allow yourself to feel, without judgement. That probably makes little sense to most. Read, or listen to the audiobook as I did, and explore it, if you’re curious. But anywho, this chair popped out of my consciousness as a result of it. Tada!! And you can buy it here: Zen Chair
Zen Chair