Many years ago, I read a Russian novel by Ivan Goncharov, Oblomov. The title character is quite indolent. His best friend, Schtoltz, is not. “Now or never” is what Schtoltz said to Oblomov while attempting to knock him out of his indolence.
The novel has stuck with me because of my own indolent tendencies. Unlike Oblomov, though, I was not born to it. Instead, the black dog of depression too often “encourages” my lack of enthusiasm.
Being a dilettante is something of a defense mechanism. I dabble in as many things as possible in order to keep my mind and time occupied. Running from the black dog is impossible, but with training he will walk beside you instead of snapping at your heels. My goal is for him to sleep quietly on the couch even when I’m out of the house.
