Have you noticed that a lot of us not only want to have this thing or that, but we want to have it NOW? I heard that the average American spends one entire year of life watching television commercials, where they are told again and again that they can have whatever they want and they can have it now.
First we want it. Then we get it. Then we wonder why we wanted it. Then we get it again.
The First National Bank in one Midwest American town came up with a billboard advertising slogan: "Loans make life easier, at FIRST." Yes, at first they do. But later....
I talked with a couple who will be married soon. They mentioned that someone in the family gave them an early wedding gift: a course of study in personal money management. They are learning to be patient and to save their money for whatever they want. I told them that someday they may look back on that gift with great appreciation.
There was a study about children, marshmallows and delayed gratification. Researchers gave children marshmallows to eat. Then they watched to see if the children ate them right away or saved the treats until later. They tracked these children for several years and learned that the "marshmallow savers," those who could delay gratification, turned out to be generally happier and better adjusted later in life. It stands to reason that we feel better when we are in control of our desires and, particularly, our behaviors.
The temptation is to have it NOW. One man wrote to me and said:
Steve,
I have learned that everything in life is instant gratification. I
just don't know the instant it will happen. So I just do what is in front of me to do, be patient, and wait for that instant.
Great advice! I have two questions for you:
1. What do you want to have?
2. Can you wait?
Chances are, if you can answer yes to the second question, you will be sure to find plenty of contentment and peace.
-- Steve Goodier
Image: Freeimages.com/Alison Taylor