DELAYED GRATIFICATION
I've been thinking a lot about this lately. We frown on those individuals that don't know how to delay their gratification. We call them impulsive, impetuous, immature, pain-in-the-asses.
We are taught to put-off our gratification until "later."
I would hate living in a society where everyone did whatever the hell they want, whenver they want, just WHENEVER, but "later"? Would you please tell me exactly when "later" is? It's kind of like "tomorrow", it never comes.
For me, and most everyone I know, we over-learned the lesson of delayed gratification. My dad died with gifts still in cellophane, the dog he always wanted but never got, the house needing a complete "face lift" but never getting one... Later, later, later DEAD!!!!
"Someday I'm going to paint/write/travel..." I hear.
Tomorrow, someday, later, they are arbitrary nothings. You are the boss of your life, not arbitrary nothings. Don't put off gratification until it's too late!
12 comments:
I'm booking my ticket to Tahati right now!
Looks like a little Linky, right in the middle of that photo.
Thanks for the post. I'll have to do a little inventory of what I've been "saving for later."
Amen! This is the logic I use with my husband when I want to open a nice bottle of wine!
Later rarely happens.
I'm all about impulsiveness and immediate gratification, for better or for worse. Sometimes, you just gotta go with the moment, go with the flow.
GREAT post and point. This hits home, because I believe it SO strongly but only sometimes live it. I'll be doing a little inventory too.
And I love that picture!
You're absolutely right.
I recently filled out a form in which one of the questions was, "What do you see yourself doing five years from now?"
I was stunned, embarassed and saddened to realize that I had no idea what to write on the form. I simply had no plans for myself.
It really made me think.... just like your post!
yeah, instant gratification was a blast. but now it's later and i'm thinking the answer must lie somewhere in the balance...
I love this! I was just reading some book about what are you going to do with the rest of your life..and it hit me, it is time to start taking risks just doing it. I think this fits in very well with my plan to mandate ME time in my days. This is just so true, so true and yet so often it doesn't happen. Thanks for the reminder!
You're right, Carrie! It's so important to mix in a little fun with our work. I am practicing telling my kids that if they can't find any pleasure in what they're doing, it's important to examine why they're doing it at all. (Unless it is cleaning their room...)
Thanks for the reminder, Carrie. I think it's about soul gratification all the time. Although I am inclined to allow myself chocolate sooner rather than later - what if Kario gets it all first?
Loved the picture.
You are exactly what I needed to hear today! Thank You!
I fall into the Ziji camp. Dessert for breakfast is just never a bad idea to me. But, Holly's right. If it's always one way, you suffer. The almighty balance is the key. Wish I could get me some of that stuff.
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