One of the things we as Americans struggle with most is our need to be instantly gratified. Whether it is wanting someone to answer their phone each and every time we call, or complain because our fast food dinner took 2 minutes instead of the 60 seconds they promised us, we just have to have what we want right that instant.
As I went through college I suffered from this greatly, and even well after school. I would always go for the job that paid a high amount of tips, but would never take a job that paid a minimal amount. I wanted the immediate gratification of the money being in my pocket that instant. In retrospect, it would have been far more beneficial to sacrifice a few years of lower pay in return for greater rewards in the future.
Cell phones are a great source of gratification and also a great source of stress. I would like you to think about the following for a few minutes. Have you ever called someone you really care about, and they don't answer? What is your first thought? Maybe, 'I know they have their phone on them. Why don't they answer!' So you let it go for 10-15 minutes and then you call again and there is still no answer. At this point you begin to feel a little irritated, and the next call will follow in about 5 minutes now. If no answer at this point your mind begins to entertain wild imaginations of what may be happening on the other end of the phone. Now the calls begin to happen every minute until there is finally an answer. When the phone is finally answered you have worked yourself up so much that you're convinced; a) They were having an affair, b) they died in a horrible car crash, or c) they are mad at you and avoiding your calls. Lol. And don't pretend you have never been there, because some of you have called my phone and done that exact thing!
If we really analyze this need for immediate satisfaction of our needs it is a little embarrassing. Before we had cell phones what did you do? You would simply tell someone you would call them when you got home and then you let the matter drop, and most likely didn't think about it until it was time for them to call. As with many things in our lives, we need to control that beast within us that is constantly on the prowl for the next fix. Because as technology evolves and we are available to everyone at every time possible, it will begin to tear us apart if we feed these desires. So next time your wife or husband doesn't answer, just leave a message and fight the urge to call back.
By Jeffrey Brandon Lee
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