ReactionDynamics

As I reach my 25th year of life, certain things have become apparent to me. I wouldn’t call them truths, but lessons learned.

I’ve learned that things take time. Gaining skills takes time, earning things takes time. Even learning about yourself is something done over a great deal of time. Sure, you can say, ‘Ahh, but Mo, this is self-evident’, but I disagree.

I have been brought up in the now classic, money-centric, Western culture. An instant-gratification society, where everything is expected to happen ‘now’, as we want it; where battles to earn love, character and material objects are removed in the name of convenience, and hence are diminished in value. However, life has not been so rigid, the natural world doesn’t support it.

I used to think in straight lines, from A to B, courtesy of my upbringing. But like driving a car, the path is never from one goal to another is littered with detours, hazards, traffic. Leap-frogging these challenges, these personal battles, enforces a detrimental frame of mind - I’d call it ‘unwarranted expectation’. When my innate expectations weren’t met, I’d be depressed, confused, rejected and angry.

Time after time, this led to missed opportunities, bad moods and even self loathing, but looking back I’ve learned my lesson. Dropping ridiculous expectations, learning the value of earning and enjoying the journey is far more fulfilling.