Today was an ok day; it had its ups and downs like every other day really, but then towards the end of the evening something happened that frustrated me. As I was walking away, I became annoyed at myself that such a small, insignificant event could have even touched me and let alone frustrated me. So I wondered: why am I frustrated? The answer came astonishingly easily: because I didn't get what I wanted at the exact moment I wanted it. That thought scared me.
It scared me because it made me realize that I am a spoiled brat. It is nothing to be ashamed of, as I am laying the blame entirely on the fact that I was born in 1982, the middle of the Generation Y era where instant communication technologies have taken over the world. You just sent an SMS, and Oh My God, it's been two and a half seconds and no answer!!! You sent an email yesterday, and nothing in your email box today..spam? no nothing there either..very strange.. something must be wrong! You posted something on facebook, and no comments yet; what are your 865 friends thinking?? And what about all these new portable gadgets: iPhones, blackberries, etc... Did you seriously need to answer to that email while you were having lunch with your friends? And do not say yes, as I would not believe you (unless you are the president of the republic and an international matter requires your immediate attention). I mean, isn't that crazy? We live in a society where everything has to be NOW!
This is where I put my foot down. Let's breathe and think for a second. Is your life going to be irreversibly changed if your friend does not immediately answer to your SMS or reply to your email or comment on your Christmas party photos on facebook or come over for a drink? The answer is probably not. You will SURVIVE. You will be able to go on with your day just fine, believe me. So take a deep breathe and walk away. Walk away from that unjustified frustration. Maybe your friends' mobile was out of signal, or maybe they were busy with their own problems (Did you even bother asking if they were ok instead of jumping at them with a "where were you? I called you all day??"), or maybe they were just tired and wanted a little alone time.
This "I want it NOW" attitude is in fact a kind of selfishness. Because you are free and available at that precise time, you want everyone else to be. But it does not work like that..unfortunately..
So, this will be my first words of wisdom for a happier life "be ok with waiting an hour, a day, a week...it will make the day you finally receive that email, or text, or see that person you've been waiting to see for so long EXTRA SPECIAL"
And I know what I am talking about...
A demain..
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apprendre l'attente...Oui on connait ...:)
ReplyDeletemams
wouah ma Chérie, patience et longueur de temps font plus que force ni que rage .
ReplyDeleteje t'aime
Papa
je connaissais pas cette expression mais effectivement, ca resume bien :)
ReplyDeletebisouxxx
Wow, I didn't know I had a family of Philosophers, but that's good, I consider myself one once in a while after a few drinks haha! Well you're right sister, it's the "I want it now" generation, but you don't have to reject all of it I think, aren't you happy when you txt someone to ask him out for lunch or what not, and you get an answer right away? I think there are some good and bad in every technology, you just need not to abuse it, and you'll be fine I'm sure. Be frustrated about it is something you need to work on that's for sure, cause that's not healthy, but that's not the fault of the technology... it's just an excuse ;)!
ReplyDeleteLa bise
morale de La Fontaine, le lion et le rat .
ReplyDeleteFables à lire ou à relire...........
je t'aime
Papa
To Flow: I do agree with you that new techologies have brought up great things: help in emmergencies, staying in contact with the ones who live far away, etc.. But I don't agree when you say that the frustration is an excuse. An excuse to what? That frustration only comes from the fact that we have been brought up thinking that the ONLY way is "NOW". This is how we've seen life (and when I say we, I mean our generation). We do not know of any other way, so I just wanted to point out that we can change if we want to; that the things we have been shown on TV, told on the radio is maybe not the best way on going on with life. I wanted to make people realize that yes, it is ok to be frustrated (because we have been "programmed" to be), but it is also ok to realize that there are other ways of approaching and dealing with our feelings.
ReplyDeleteI do totally agree on the "not abusing technologies" as well.
To Dad: I might get myself the book...it's been a very long time since I've read it, and I'm sure I would understand things today than I did not when I was 12 :)
ReplyDelete