Instant gratification. This is what we are being culturalised to expect today. Certainly in a developed country like Australia, what with the internet, same day delivery, and pressure cookers! We demand (and often get) results immediately. We have forgotten the value of patience. A virtue that's value is immeasurable. We have also been robbed of many opportunities of anticipation, which often adds another, very satisfying dimension, to gratification, making it all the more meaningful. All the more memorable.
My main concern is though what will be the impact on our emotional development and our expectations in relationships? What happens when we no longer value reflection, something that does require time, effort, and critical analysis? Or even in terms of evolving our perceptions of our world and the events that fill it- will we accept that we need to stop, breathe and interpret it all so as to build our understanding, so as to give our emotions time to respond adequately and appropriately?
For now, I will work on this by doing things that do take time... I might write a letter and send it via post (shock horror!). And will attempt to pickle some lemons. And maybe even order a book that is yet to be released and wait for it patiently, allowing the anticipation to build to a crescendo of unrivalled smile-inducing happy.
