I've been pondering for a while now on how it seems we - as humanity - are often willing to relish the benefits today and postpone the costs to the future. Climate change is probably the most evident example.
We want to get the best out of the world today, even if we know there will be a cost to pay for future generations.
Politics is another context in which short term rewards are favoured over long term impact.
Do we lack discipline?
A quote by Sunday Adelaja says that "discipline is when we postpone today's pleasure for the benefit of tomorrow."
But do we really have to choose between today and tomorrow? Could we have both today's pleasure and tomorrow's benefit?
My parents had a tough life. Growing up in post-world war Italy and full of hope, they lived a life of discipline and sacrifices to create a better future for themselves and their children.
My parents had no doubts; they chose tomorrow's benefit over today's pleasure. What about me?
As a result of their hard work, I had a pleasant upbringing to find myself an adult in a world so uncertain, unpredictable and volatile that hope is a scarce resource. So, as a young man, I thought they were crazy. You only live once, so life must be enjoyed today. I favoured today's pleasure over tomorrow's benefit.
Years later, I'm learning that I don't have to choose one or the other, but I can dance with both. I can enjoy today's pleasure and work to create tomorrow's benefit.
It all starts with expanding my awareness.