Following a thought-provoking conversation with my friend Jennie, instant gratification is on my mind!
Living in a society of instant gratification affects us in endless ways. From the products we buy, to our expectations of others (and ourselves), to the quality of our work, to the way we eat, we are influenced by the desire to have what we want and to have it NOW. And, equally problematic, we toss things (and sometimes) people aside when we have found something better/newer/cooler.
I, for example, have a bad habit of buying cheap "cute" things at Target. Now, I will always love Target, but do I really need one more poorly made, sweatshop-produced, item of clothing? Then there's my tendency to rush home renovation projects because I just want to get it done and see it finished. Wouldn't I be more pleased with the results if I slowed down and fixed something right the first time? And then there are the convenience foods, the back-up disposable diapers, and the endless desire to buy things I don't need!!!
Nearly everything that makes life easier for me in the short run ends up creating more work in the long run (either in time worked to earn money or time fixing something), supporting sub-standard working conditions elsewhere, or generating more garbage. And expecting myself or others to change immediately only yields guilt, resentment, and other mental garbage! Even worse, these practical and mental conveniences keep me from the joy of a job well-done, an uncluttered home, time with my family, and appreciation for the blessings I already have!
What does all of this rambling add up to? Delayed gratification! If you're interested in joining me in this, share how you're going to do it! As for me, I'm going to work on:
1) Not buying "disposable" clothing or random household accessories. Only buying things I need and love.
2) Taking the time to do the job right: Be it work, cooking, or getting things ready for the move.
3) Appreciating people and things as they currently are. The grass is never as green on the other side of the fence as we think it will be anyway! In reality, all things offer a mixture of benefits and drawbacks.
Whew! That was a lot and not necessarily presented in a logical manner. If you read this far thanks for being so generous with me ;). Happy delay of gratification...after all, good things come to those who wait!