Think Long Term Always...
Stop prioritizing short-term relief over long-term consequences.
In the first episode of Squid Game, we're introduced to a man whose had a difficult life and facing several hardships.
He’s divorced, with failed business ventures, drowning in debt to loan sharks, and living with his mother, relying on her for his basic needs. He was also a chauffeur.
His desperate situation becomes even more evident when he has to ask his mother for money just to buy a special meal and gift for his daughter's birthday.
What caught my attention was the moment he decided to take part in a game at a train station in order to win back money he had lost while escaping the loan sharks.
The game seemed simple, and the reward was tempting. Because he didn’t have the cash to wager, he agreed to be slapped every time he lost.
Despite his repeated failures, he persisted after which he eventually won a few rounds and made some cash. He already had past experiences of gambling and betting. So it was no surprise that even after multiple losses, he continued because he was desperate and thought he had chance to win, which kept him going.
After being cornered by the loan sharks and forced to sign a document relinquishing his physical rights, he shamelessly asked to borrow more money from them on the spot.
The man who engaged him in the game gave him a card to contact if he wanted to turn his financial situation around.
Despite hearing accurate details about his life from a stranger, he didn’t pause to question the legitimacy of this offer.
When he had reached his breaking point, he didn’t think twice about calling the agency offering easy money, even though it felt suspicious.
This shows how in times of desperation, people often focus on immediate gratification, ignoring the potential consequences of their actions.
The brief success he experienced during the initial game was the bait that lead him and others into a dangerous situation. He did not even pause to think, he made decisions based solely on the desire for a quick solution to his problems.
How It Applies to Us:
This scenario mirrors real life. Many of us find ourselves in situations where we prioritize short-term relief over long-term consequences.
We often find ourselves infatuated with instant results, and that obsession makes us vulnerable to scams and deceptive promises.
This mindset is what drives many into the traps of "get rich quick" schemes, ultimately leading to devastating losses, sometimes even costing lives.
There are countless examples of this behavior:
Investing in Ponzi schemes: like MMM, lured by the promise of exaggerated returns within an unrealistically short period, only to lose everything.
Getting pregnant: for the sake of experiencing certain bodily changes and then deciding to abort once satisfied. Shockingly, this is a growing trend among some people today.
Wasting money in betting parlors: convinced that gambling will bring quick riches, while abandoning the dignity of legitimate work and honest earnings.
Selling yourself short: by engaging in transactional relationships for fast cash, believing that in this challenging T-Pain economy, labor and hard work won't suffice, so selling your body seems like the easier route.
Relying on drugs for escape, whether to fit in with others or avoid facing personal problems. Rather than seeking help or therapy, many go for the fleeting highs that come with substance abuse.
Most times, many people chase temporary fixes that offer a thrill but ultimately leave them worse off. And the list goes on, showing how easy it is to fall for what looks like a shortcut to success, only to be led into destruction.
You begin to Look Like Your Decisions The Older You Get
I want you to remember that as you get older, you begin to look like the choices and decisions you have made while growing up.
More importantly, you must consider the impact of those choices not just on yourself but on your children and future generations. Taking time to reflect on how your actions will affect your future and theirs will guide you in making wiser, more strategic decisions.
It's important to remember that immediate gratification often comes at the expense of long-term growth and development. Whenever you're faced with a significant decision, learn to think ten steps ahead.
It even boils down to the mundane things such as what you eat or what you wear. Thinking long-term requires discipline, but it's this mindset that will set you apart and save you from unnecessary difficulties.
In Your Thinking, You Must Learn to Probe:
You also must possess and develop the ability to probe things. Do not always take things at face value, ask the right questions tailored to draw out the answers that you want.
Beneath every concept, there are underlying assumptions, facts and knowledge to be discovered.
Though it might seem exhausting to constantly think ahead and question things, it's essential for living a life of purpose and responsibility.
I know you desire to live for just yourself without a care in the world but that is not what God desires for our lives.
What's the point of living a life without direction, responsibility, or purpose? Such a life will eventually feel empty.
Instead, aim for a legacy that endures, one that will benefit not only you but your children and future generations.
Questions To Ask:
These are the critical questions we should always ask ourselves before making any decision:
What impact will this action, choice, or decision have in the next 10 years?
How will my children and loved ones be impacted by what I am about to do
Will my future self thank me for the decisions and choices I am taking now?
Does God approve of what I am about to do?
These questions allow us to consider life from both a futuristic and eternal standpoint.
As seen in Squid Game, desperation and the desire for instant rewards can cause us to make impulsive decisions that result in deeper problems.
Let us take time to pause, reflect, and evaluate our choices and decisions.
God will help us.
Happy New Week!!!