What to amuse yourself?  I'm talking about constant entertainment with amazement and laughter.  Like Netflix, it's always there.. It's your thoughts. You can't not (double negative?) be intrigued and impressed at the measures the mind takes to avoid situations, justify actions, weasel out of facing the truth.  It's almost laughable.  

Many of us are unfamiliar with making the distinction between us and our thoughts.  If you sit still for a period of time without the TV or NPR or Candy Crush, you will find your thoughts. It's that chatter between your ears, that constant drone.   It's frustrating at first to be quiet, because the mind doesn't like to be idle, it wants stimulation, baby, more, more.  But, if you just sit quietly and try to breath slowly, you'll notice some-thing/one talking to you.  It's your mind. Hello, mind! This is where the fun begins!  

Your thoughts won't always be kind or they might be. The challenge is to watch and observe without judgment. Notice where the mind goes and what thoughts arise.  Most likely, they're either in the past, future or judging the present.  The mind conjures up arguments, playing out different scenarios with it's perceived reactions and counter-reactions and counter-counter-reactions. You've got to find this entertaining!  It's like a one-man play right before your eyes. However, it's not real, it's all in your head.(1)

So, who cares? Why are we watching? Can't I go back to Orange is the New Black or Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp?  Yes, but why when your thoughts can be so depressing, then exhilarating, then frustrating, then wtf(!).  It's just like Mad Men.  

Beginning to observing what's going on it our minds is a practice.. You noticed I used the word "practice" because it's always a bit of a struggle, getting easier, then harder, then easier.  When you get really good at it, it can be extremely enjoyable, or so I've heard.  You can call it meditation or sitting quietly or navel gazing.  Practice makes kinda perfect.  The more you practice, the easier it becomes to watch what the mind is chewing on and where it goes for distraction.  Watching is just watching and not participating in the various forays.  Because the watching happens in present time, not being in the past or future, then you're "being present".  

You can try this out on your own.  The next time someone gives you a compliment, watch what thoughts arise--is it pride, self-satisfaction, disbelief, distrust, negative talk?  When you see a disheveled person aimlessly wanderIng the street, what comes up--is it empathy, disgust, sadness, anger?  Try not to judge yourself for your thoughts. Just notice what comes up. You could self-entertain all day long with just your own thoughts.

If you take a light attitude about your thoughts, it's almost like going to the movie theater--there's comedies, dramas, action-packed flixs, documentaries, and rom-coms--all for free inside your mind.  Now go grab some popcorn!