Impulse Management

A group of students coming from a late night party are laughing and teasing as they hop into a red jeep. The driver cranks up the engine and speeds off. Amidst the carefree chattering, the driver accelerates faster and faster and jerks the wheel around the curves until the screams are no longer of bliss but of terror. The jeep has flipped over.

This scene of an intoxicated driver can be compared to the behavior of an impulsive person when it goes too far. Though we scorn the driver for his poor sense of judgment, we are just as guilty in our sporadic thinking patterns and behavior. Consider occasions when we are tempted to load our plates with delectable foods at a buffet. We smother our plates with Teriyaki Steak, Lemon Peppered Shrimp, Cheddar Stuffed Potatoes, Squash and Onion Casserole and top it off with Coconut Pineapple Cake and Cherry Cheese Pie. As the tantalizing aroma and savory taste hypnotize us, we overlook the food's negative effect on our health. Eating too many spicy and rich foods can lead to gastrointestinal problems not to mention the long-term illnesses of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. These ailments then steer us toward the surmountable costs of hospital bills and treatments. Another instance of hastiness occurs when we say "yes" too soon to an offer that sounds good but is not good for us or not the right time for us. Then too, some of us are guilty of submitting to any appealing advertisement offer we encounter, charging too much to our credit cards, and getting into major debt. Other examples of impulsiveness include making promises we don't keep, quitting too soon, saying a negative comment that we can't take back or doing something negative that's irreversible. Our behavior in these scenarios is like that of the drunk driver in that they are both characterized by blurred thinking, an adrenalin rush, and no consideration of the consequences.

Many factors contribute to our rash behaviors. At times we act out of desperation, feeling that we've waited so long for something and have to take the first thing that comes along. Our motive may be greed, where our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, time, space, and budgets. Some of us have the nature to please and lack assertiveness. Also, we face pressure from peers and the media to conform to trends in fashion, technology, prestige, and rebellion. It all boils down to thinking in the short-term rather than the long-term, seeking immediate gratification, and putting our emotions before reality. We don't consider all the facts and consequences before acting.

The effects of our impulse are numerous. Guilty consciences or hangovers emerge when running a red light causes a horrific accident. Overwhelming feelings and indecision follow making too many commitments. Unpreparedness and inconvenience result from doing things on the spur of the moment which gets us into binds. Ultimately, our impaired judgment not only ruins our lives but those of others.

Fortunately, we can remedy these harmful outcomes to our choices. We can begin by thinking carefully before we act or speak and by seeking long-term gratification. We can realize that we have options and weigh them by making a checklist of the pros and cons. We can ask for advice or "do our homework" on an issue. We can practice assertiveness. We can do things in moderation. Most of all, noting that patience is a virtue, we can pray, meditate, and give things time.