Another lingering reflection, from a recent Randoms...:
There is something so seemingly satisfying about short-term prospects, especially when compared with the likelihood of long-term fulfillment.
Because what if the long-term never happens?
Isn't that the age-old question?
And yet, at times, it seems so conspicuous that short-term satisfaction seems to directly compete with long-term fulfillment. Not to mention, that short-satisfaction is, by definition, short-term and, therefore, relatively un-satisfying over the long haul.
But, we want to fill or feel something right now, which often leads to a later feeling of something like, "I wish I hadn't done that...".
And, so, the dilemma continues...sometimes round and round and round.
The reality seems to be that two things are actually in play at the same time—something I want right now AND something I also want later. Sometimes these aren't mutually exclusive; but, sometimes they are.
So, where does this leave us?
In my experience, I can feel the push (from outside...and inside) to deny one over the other. I think this is the bigger problem (than trying to determine which to appease). Denial is rarely a good thing; awareness, on the other hand, often is. Listen to yourself, interact with yourself, engage your self. Make a choice. Make a different choice next time. But, don't just deny one reality over the other.
