Instant Gratification

It seems more and more nowadays that we live in an instant gratification world. People feel as though everything should be now, and no thought or consideration is put towards a demand.

Now, don't get me wrong, there is certainly situations that demand an instant action, but not always.
Even 10 years ago, you wouldn't have even have thought to walk into a doctor's office, dentist office, or a bank, among other places, and demand you be taken care of immediately. And then be angry about it when it couldn't happen, because the person being helped thought ahead about their needs and booked an appointment.

Sifi Brinker posted a good quote about a week ago regarding smart phones, and it makes me wonder if this digital, fast paced age we live in now, is not somewhat the cause of instant gratification. I don't have the answers, but I do know that in most cases an instant resolution is not always the best.

For example, I was in a store the other day, and there was one person working the till. There was a line up of about 6 or 7 people waiting to pay. The person behind me was complaining (loudly, so the cashier could hear) about having to wait, and not having enough staff to 'properly' handle the shoppers. I felt bad for this young girl that was doing her best to help the customers she was there to do a job for, and as quickly as she could. When it was my turn to pay, I thanked the cashier for her hard work, and working as quickly as she could (and did say it loudly enough that the person behind could hear me). We don't know why she was the only cashier - maybe she was the only one that bothered to show up that day for work, and is left with the fallout from angry customers, because she decided that she was going to fulfill what she was hired to do. 

I guess what I am trying to say is, we don't know why some situations take place, and we should not jump to the conclusion that it is their fault. Be appreciative of someone else's time and effort. And again, I bring this back to instant gratification. It seems people are more impatient, wanting to be the only person that matters, and to heck with everyone else.

Compare this to kung fu - if I went to a store and purchased a black belt, so I could show it off, what am I gaining from that? Less than nothing. I have learned nothing, and I have just wasted money on a belt that means nothing.

I know how proud I feel when I have worked hard for something, and I finally meet that goal. It is even more rewarding when I have failed along the way, and have had to adjust, and work it out to be successful. No instant gratification. I have worked hard.

Sorry for my rant, it has been a fairly frustrating week at work, and I wanted to share, and if I can get 1 person to think before being negative, or expecting something to happen immediately if it is really not needed, than that is one more person that has made this world a happier place.

Thanks for listening, see you on the mats!
Pushing on and Pushing up!