Goodbye Instant Gratification...
This morning I wanted to heat up two slices of pizza for breakfast. I work the night shift, so don't judge me. My initial thought was to sprinkle a little water on the pizza, then put it in the microwave for a minute or so. Easy.
Then I remembered. Our microwave, which we'd had for almost ten years, went out back in November. At first there was a feeling of loss, and we planned on buying a new one right away. We have learned a lot about ourselves and our lives from the simple event of no longer having a microwave.
We were raised in the years before the microwave became such a huge part of our lives, and we reverted back to the old ways; we use the oven to reheat food. It takes a little longer, but it's worth it. The food tastes better, not smushy, rubbery, or soggy like the microwave. Chicken, burgers, everything tastes amazing, and even French fries can be reheated. Incredible, right?
As the days lengthened into weeks and months, the hole in our life represented by the absence of the microwave has been replaced by lost things such as conversation. Instead of grabbing our food and scurrying to our different havens in our house, we sit at the kitchen table and talk. All of us. At some point, it became a new way to bond, and because of our varied interests and schedules, the laptops are all in the kitchen. We chat, make "money moves," make plans, and we wait patiently for our food to heat up in the oven. It's been enlightening.
In the grocery store recently, my wife and I paused in front of the microwave ovens. The prices were quite reasonable, but after two minutes, we drifted into housewares, where we discussed baking utensils and toaster ovens. I doubt if we'll buy another microwave.
As I waited for the pizza to warm up, I answered emails, chatted with a friend, and packed a suitcase. When the pizza was ready, I sat at the table and bit into gooey cheese, and a crunchy crust. Delicious. That's when my epiphanic moment occurred.
Imagine the joy and fulfillment which comes with achieving a long sought after goal. We grind, tilt at windmills, and eventually, we breakthrough. The feelings of success are our rewards for being patient and going through the process towards achievements.
Giving up because something is difficult or will take some time, is not an option. We weren't raised by parents who received instant gratification in all of their endeavors, and we learned from them. There's no such thing as an "easy" button.
I've often been pegged as a very impatient person and there is a truth to be found in that assessment. However, I've waited, planned, and prepared for the next season of my life, and it won't happen instantly. The journey will be arduous, but the destination will be amazing. Just like the two slices of pizza reheated in the oven. Some things are worth waiting for...
