Instant gratification.

The article explores the concept of delayed gratification and its impact on success and happiness. It discusses the idea that resisting immediate pleasures in favor of long-term rewards is a fundamental Christian belief that has permeated secular society. The article references the famous marshmallow tests conducted by Stanford psychology professor Walter Mischel, which found that children who were able to delay gratification had higher SAT scores and better stress management skills as adults. However, the article also acknowledges that immediate gratification is a natural human instinct and questions whether delayed gratification is always the best approach. It highlights the perspective of younger generations, such as Gen Z, who prioritize enjoying the present and reject the idea of deferring their flourishing until later in life. The article concludes by suggesting that the soft life, focused on rest, renewal, and cooperative values, may have more to teach us about human flourishing than the traditional concept of delayed gratification. [Extracted from the article]