**For Short-Term Pleasure, We Create Long-Term Pain** *Source: novice.svet.24.si* **Article – April 26, 2024**

# **For Short-Term Pleasure, We Create Long-Term Pain** *Source: novice.svet.24.si* **Article – April 26, 2024** The problem of today’s world lies in poor relationships, as they often lead to psychological difficulties and illnesses. They are created everywhere: in the workplace, in society, in private life, and within the family. Poor relationships are the wound and the price of modern priorities. A blindfold over the eyes, plugs in the ears, a tape over the mouth. I see nothing, I hear nothing – yet exactly at that moment I should see and hear the most: the rejection and disrespect of another human being, suppression, disapproval, bullying, abuse, deception, betrayal… And last but not least, taking away another person’s ability to express their emotions while suppressing our own, ignoring people even though we know they do not deserve to be ignored, created injustices… Lies, dirty and hidden games, rumors, false hugs and kisses, false love, and a false family… **Everything is learned.** Modern priorities are not ours. This is not who we truly are. This does not come from us. It is not natural. As small children, we did not know these things. They were learned. A false system has taught us these patterns – a system that leads to the destruction of families, healthy human values, and health itself. This system leads us toward an abyss and slavery. It leads us to despair, excessive work, greed, poverty, and illness. Fear is deeply encouraged. Cheating is stimulated, because supposedly a modern person must betray and cheat rather than be old-fashioned and faithful. However, we forget who we must be most loyal to. The answer is: First to ourselves and to our own conscience, so that we do not poison ourselves with modern false priorities. To be loyal to these new priorities? A big: **“NO, THANK YOU.”** I would rather choose patience, self-discipline, and perseverance. I continue to trust myself and do what I love. I still believe in a better tomorrow, and I believe that there is still a small piece of goodness within people. As long as this small piece exists, there is still hope for humanity. But it begins with the individual. Everyone should find their own small piece of kindness. Everything begins within ourselves. Love and respect yourself. Then you can expect to respect others, love your loved ones, and a miracle can happen: The people around you begin to respect you, those close to you come closer, and you receive the opportunity to be loved again. --- # **The Most Painful Thing Is Awakening** And yet, people often choose to create long-term pain for the sake of short-term pleasure. First to themselves – but they do not see it. Then to their loved ones – and they do not see that either. And they disappoint people who once had a good opinion of them – and even that often remains unseen. When we finally begin to realize it, it is already too late. The damage and pain have already been created. When we understand that we first hurt ourselves, it hurts a little. When we realize that we have hurt those closest to us, we begin to justify and defend ourselves, explaining why our actions caused pain to others. Over time, it becomes clearer and easier to understand that in a bad relationship the most painful things are awakening and admitting that we were wrong, that we did not need to cause pain to ourselves and to the people we love. --- # **Do We Want to Learn Something?** Soon the bill arrives. Difficulties appear in the form of psychosomatic problems. Traumas, depressive states, panic attacks, addictions to alcohol, drugs, computers, pornography, gambling, addiction to spirituality, or dependence on other people and their influence over us may appear. There are many more problems that could be listed. But the cruelest consequence of our actions for short-term pleasure is the loss of family and children – the loss of ourselves. A painful consequence is creating karmic debt. For our five minutes of glory, we create long-lasting pain, long healing processes, resentment, anger, and sadness. Perhaps we may never be forgiven in this lifetime. In short: Long-term pain, where in the end we ourselves suffer the most. The question is: Despite all the mistakes we have made, do we want to learn something? Do we truly want to admit our mistakes? Do we want to repent for them? Or do we still insist: **“I am right.”** --- # **For Reflection** The ego is always present, and it is right that it exists. However, there is an invisible boundary: How far am I allowed to go in seeking short-term pleasure? Truly: **How far?** And this is where everything begins – and sooner or later, everything also ends. What would we generally describe as short-term pleasure? Here I invite readers to reflect. Basically, the answer has already been written in this article. Nevertheless, let this be a small moment of reflection, a way to activate our thoughts about ourselves and our lives: our decisions, our relationships, and ultimately our actions. Even if we have done something unpleasant and learned from it, apologized to someone, or forgiven someone, we contribute to improving our relationships. Acknowledgment is the beginning. Effort and sincerity are powerful tools and guides toward the right path. Self-love is the final step. And once again: The environment and the people around us change – because **we change ourselves**.