"They also serve who only stand and wait." ~ John Milton
“Delayed gratification,” said one of those English teachers, “is the key to satisfaction.” We sat, grub-like, mystified. We wiggled in our chairs, held our breath, and hoped he wouldn’t ask us anything. He was tall and large-boned, with dark, wavy hair. His voice was deep and musical. He made references to sex and war, which we could not understand. His face was “chiseled” and “handsome,” with large, soft brown eyes that suddenly turned angry. He was one of those men whose women had better be uglier.
His words. Delayed gratification = satisfaction. Was it true? Was this not the argument for heaven? Or Santa? Wait, suffer, “be good,” and you shall be rewarded. It’s true that many good things take time, like growing tomato plants. Those are things you cultivate: friendships, skills, and intricate works of labor. What about the things you have to catch? Trains, feelings, and opportunities dangled by a sliver of time.
There is a difference.
