Flashback to the memorial service for my friend who passed away. After the service was over everyone was together and catching up with old friends. Hearing his friends and family talk about his life. And the common theme was, that his life was set at such a high level in every aspect that you couldn't help but evaluate your own life. I thought of my friendships and family relationships... and question their depth. That night, a friend came up and was I love you man. I know we ain't the tighest of friends, but its not like out friendship is shallow either". It truly made me think. Earlier, I ran into my old roommate from college, who lives 20 minutes away... yet I haven't seen him months.
Fast forward a couple weeks, a friend said "Justin you have too many cliques, you need to get rid of some." There was a point to those words. It seems that I am always trying to fit the puzzle pieces into a cohesive weekend. Sometimes things work out(through LUCK, metro/walking, major planning), sometimes I get the best of myself and just give into the first or most "pressing" thing (Birthdays, going-away parties, weddings, family stuff). So I have to find the best way to be consistent+ with my friendships and relationships and commitments. I added the "+" to signify that friendships should get "deeper" or at least, I should be more proactive/sharing/open/"in the moment".
This upcoming weekend seems like one of those. Graduation at my old school, and the last few people there are graduating so that is Saturday and Sunday. Hopefully I can also get a needed haircut tonight, which will take time. Saturday night there are couple ideas of things I want to do or go, the weather should be awesome and I'm getting more addicted to taking pictures. Its also the DC 48 hour film festival, now I;m a little glad I missed that deadline, although doing that would have been an awesome experience. Just looking into the next few days, there are a number of things going on and different people and groups of friends that I have commitments toward, but I believe! It may not be easy, but I'm gonna ensure that it is fun and am sure that there will be a number of pictures capturing some great memories. TGIF!!!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
"Delayed Gratification" or something else...
I've always been good at that. But how useful is that skill? Growing up in a big family, where money was tight it was easy to learn. It doesn't matter what you wanted, let's work on what is needed. Having an older brother meant hand-me downs, and/or sharing of clothes, video games, well everything was shared. So it wasn't till after college, when I could actually afford to start getting things for myself.
However, the previous 20 years of life and delayed gratification never wore off. I think i'd probably make 3-4 indulgent purchasesa year. XBox, clothes, Mac, TV, cameras. Apart from that I haven't really spent much buying things. However, its not like I've been saving money, time or any other REAL benefit.
One of my goals this year, has been to invest more in my self. I already started investing in my own career, through signing up at UMUC. and now, I finally bought a camera. A real camera. Last year, I took over 5800 pictures. Looking back, I haven't gained anything by not having this camera last year. But that's past now, and this will be a fun, new good investment into an interest I already have!
Delayed gratification makes sense as a concept, when the time is used to make the end goal better. Waiting to buy a house or car, because you're not financially stable enough to afford what you want, where you want it. Waiting for second generation tehcnology, because it'll only be better and that will save money. Not buying clothes, until losing 10 lbs. Researching the hot new item, to ensure you truly need and want to use it. Marrying the right person, and not the one right there. All of those are smart applications of delayed gratification. But I guess if nothing is really achieved or no true benefit is ever gained... "delayed gratification" is nothing more than a subtle form of "procrastination".
However, the previous 20 years of life and delayed gratification never wore off. I think i'd probably make 3-4 indulgent purchasesa year. XBox, clothes, Mac, TV, cameras. Apart from that I haven't really spent much buying things. However, its not like I've been saving money, time or any other REAL benefit.
One of my goals this year, has been to invest more in my self. I already started investing in my own career, through signing up at UMUC. and now, I finally bought a camera. A real camera. Last year, I took over 5800 pictures. Looking back, I haven't gained anything by not having this camera last year. But that's past now, and this will be a fun, new good investment into an interest I already have!
Delayed gratification makes sense as a concept, when the time is used to make the end goal better. Waiting to buy a house or car, because you're not financially stable enough to afford what you want, where you want it. Waiting for second generation tehcnology, because it'll only be better and that will save money. Not buying clothes, until losing 10 lbs. Researching the hot new item, to ensure you truly need and want to use it. Marrying the right person, and not the one right there. All of those are smart applications of delayed gratification. But I guess if nothing is really achieved or no true benefit is ever gained... "delayed gratification" is nothing more than a subtle form of "procrastination".
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