Author: Darsh
“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.”- William Shakespeare
We often let our emotions take control of the decisions we make and the things we do. Our generation is so focused on instant gratification that we lack rational thinking whenever life gives us a challenge, ergo, we take some wrong steps in our journey. The emotional and logical parts of our brain are in a constant battle trying to justify which particular option we should choose. Whenever we make an emotional choice that results in us acting foolishly, it is a sign that we lack self control and indulge in instant gratification. Instant gratification is when we overlook the long journey, what might be good for it and focus on all short term results instead.
Dopamine is a neurochemical created in various parts of the brain and is critical for all sorts of brain functions. Instant gratification is this dopamine’s release, which gives us a sense of pleasure. For example, you would rather watch a movie online than study for the test that is due next week. Why is that so? It is because we are happier doing easier tasks, making our brain release this dopamine, which gives us a short sense of pleasure. In a similar way, if we fail to get into a college we want, or a relationship fails, we often lash out all our anger and frustration and take steps that may affect our future. This is because we are so used to getting what we want instantly that our mind is wired to program in a way to always expect something out of every event, and when we don’t get this easily, we become emotional and start doubting ourselves.
Many people these days convince themselves that they are happy being in a dead-end job or being where they don’t want to be. This allows people to quit on themselves. Becoming successful and making something out of your life takes sacrifice and a lot of hard work and dedication. For a lot of people, if they don’t see the results right away, they want to quit because they think it’s not “working out”. This is a major reason why so many people are depressed and the suicide rates have gone up. They don’t allow themselves to think patiently that a small bump in the journey won’t end it; it is just a hurdle that we have to cross. Life is never going to be easy and instant gratification portrays life as a walk in the park.
Being calm and taking rational decisions is the ultimate skill a person can learn. It is not an inborn trait but something that you have to develop with experience. M S Dhoni wasn’t the best batsman of all time, yet he is regarded as one of the greatest legends of the game, all owing to his calm and collected approach in stressful situations. It is often said that your attitude determines your success rather than hard work and intelligence. What use is giving it all you have got if you give up after a hurdle? I beseech you all to take a look at how your mind works because it is the only way you can find peace and happiness.
We remain constantly busy, get caught up in the little things that don’t really matter, and lose track of the bigger, long-term things that do. Figuring out how our mind responds to situations should be one of the goals that matter the most so that emotions won’t take over the way we make decisions. Delaying gratification is one way that makes us aware of what might be good for us in the long term instead of focusing on immediate results. It is an act of self control that doesn’t let emotions cloud our judgment. Yet if everyone had mastered this art, the world wouldn’t have been such a sad place, where so many people succumb to depression. Believe me, nothing is out of your reach, it is all in your mind and these self-harboured emotions play tricks to deceive you. All I would like to say is that give yourself a chance and introspect the nature of your mind so that you can achieve the happiness you desire.
