Acedia

An archaic word originated circa 1607 meaning apathy or boredom. My experience with boredom was called ennui but acedia has a broader meaning I think in that it brings together what we humans do when motivation escapes us. A do nothing activeness that thrives on inactivity. When we lack drive to change things or become uncaring we injure our psyche as in believing there is nothing we can do. Modern age phrases like: “Whatever” and “It is what it is” become rationalizations and justifications to remain aloof rather than becoming part of the solution of taking an active role instead.  We have fallen victim to acedia as it starts to affect our ability in ordinary time whether it is work or even play.  Slothfulness if you will.  Acceptance of what is intolerable becomes apathy to action because we tell ourselves there’s nothing we can do. 

Thomas Aquinas identifies acedia as “the sorrow of the world” and the Oxford Dictionary has a less arcane definition: “a state of restlessness and inability to work or to pray” To me acedia makes life colorless in a way that is not just black and white but also lacking the high definition of preventing our own Self Actualization.