We’re all in a hurry to get what we want. And, oh yes, we’re all busy, busy, busy. A spur-of-the-moment visit to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum reminded me that our impatience and desire for instant gratification are nothing new.
It seems each generation thinks the one on its heels is has an entitlement issue – they know what they want, and they want it now. Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, Generation Z – take your pick. Each generation has been accused of being the now generation. As in I want it now.
“[W]e’ll all be happier if we develop some self-control and avoid the habit of wanting everything this instant.” (Baby Boomers)
“Remember, this is the generation brought up on instant gratification.” (Gen Xers)
And now back to my visit to the JFK Library. It seems President Kennedy saw that our impatience was interfering with long-term plans and goals, since he included these words in his inaugural address in 1961:
All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
So…let us begin. And let us realize that some tasks and some goals are, indeed, worth beginning even though we’re not sure when they’ll be complete.
“Good things come to those who wait”…. that was a quote I was brought up with and also that “if you get something without having to earn it over time, you will not appreciate it”. Technology may have brought us an ability to get things faster, and has possibly created a lower attention span, but I still think the important things in life are not things you can get instantly. President Kennedy was a very wise man.
I love a little instant gratification myself, Ian, but also try to make sure I take a wider overview to see how sometimes we’ve got to be in it for the long haul. Yes, JFK, was spot on on this one.
The moral of the story is, you must begin somewhere. I love each generation having a distinctive vibe. It’s all similar one to another, and unique to those living it.
That’s true for sure, Roz! Start, see what happens, adjust and keep moving forward!!
Very interesting how each generation exhibits the same human trait: Being in a hurry to get somewhere, almost before they’ve even started. It is a great lesson for me, the air sign, who always flies ahead wanting to reach the goal without staying in the process. One of my biggest life lessons has been to learn to enjoy all the steps from start to finish. I admit it is an ongoing challenge and based on your post, I am definitely not alone. Seems prevalent throughout the ages. The great wisdom of J.F. Kennedy was his ability to rally people to see his vision and to join them on the journey, regardless of how long it took. Yes, some tasks, like achieving World Peace, the big goal I align with, do seem to take a long time to arrive at. Thanks for a great read, Deb! Enjoyed the message and it was very apropos for me indeed.
Let us begin, indeed! I think I am not surprised that each generation thinks that of the future gens. Maybe it’s what is meant by “a better life”, to make things easier, simpler, straightforward…maybe.
Hi Lori – Yes, I think each generation wants a better life for the generation that follows. It seems that each generation also thinks the one behind it has an easier road to that better life. And, yes, the most important thing is to begin.
As a younger person, Deb, instant gratification was the only form of gratification that made sense! I think it is part of the giddiness of youth and misunderstanding the motto ‘Carpe Diem’.
My parents tried to drill the fact that patience is a virtue into me but it would be years into maturity before I understood that true self realization and actualization requires time and simply starting the journey towards the desired goal is what matters most.
Nowadays I find myself telling the younger generations to have patience and wonder, are they thinking what I used to think when I was given the same advice at their age?
I’m sure the younger generation is thinking the same thing that you thought when you were younger Vatsala. As I get older, I learn that we have more in common with those younger than us than we might have first thought. While the meaning of Carpe Diem may change as we age, it serves to encourage us just as JFK suggested: begin.
Hi Deb,
How wonderful that you were able to visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and that it inspired such an insightful post. When I read this, I was also reminded of the phrase, “Good things come to those who wait.” It is amazing that each generation has had to deal with the same concept. There are goals that do take a long time. For some, we may never see the fruit of our efforts. Still, we must begin. Thank you for the great read!
Hi Robin – oh, I remember that quote well you mention well. And I remember how difficult I’ve found it to wait for those good things=> It was a great visit to this library which I’ve had the pleasure to visit several times. Something different always strikes me as I walk through the exhibits; this time, the quote on our way out captured my attention. So…let us begin.
I am not one who demands instant gratification! I am perfectly willing to wait 30 minutes for my brownies to cook; hey, I can even wait two hours for the eggs to warm up to room temperature so I can make the batter! As for starting, wellllll, that is a whole other beast, now, isn’t it? Funny how we all want what we want when we want it, but not so many people are actually keen on starting to do whatever is necessary to get it. Great post. 🙂
Glad your priorities are in order Liz – I’m waiting for those brownies right alongside of you!! We are an impatient group. This morning I was at a social media breakfast and one of the speakers said “www is no longer world wide web but rather what I want, when I want, where I want.” I think she’s onto something.
I like this! START is the key! Then see if you like it or not, unless you start you don’t know anything. If you made a mistake by starting something, just learn from it. It’s simple yet sometimes tough to follow the easiest thing… Thank you for sharing!
Hi Deb,
Great post! Can totally relate 🙂 In our country, people want “instant gratification” on everything because they have no patience to wait. I for one, believe that having patience is key to always getting something better than getting something right now! It can be hard to wait, but sooo worth it!
Thanks for sharing!!
Hi Deb, This is a great reminder to slow down – I know I’m not known for my patience. I don’t like waiting – and as usual it’s nothing new. Each generation has it’s own version of instant gratification. It does pay to slow down and smell the roses, as it’s been said. Thanks for the reminder to slow down and to not think this is new!