“A person who has been going about in the sun feels cool when he reaches the shade. Someone who keeps going from the shade into the sun and then back into the shade is a fool. A wise man stays permanently in the shade.”
— Ramana Maharshi
Why do some people buy a dog? Because the thought of an animal that will love them, keep them company, and protect them, feels exciting. A dog will not let them feel lonely on unsafe (bless its heart).
But if they don’t consider the responsibilities of caring, feeding training, supervision, love and more that come with this fun, they realize they bit more than they could chew. Then, they either give up the dog or helplessly watch as the animal’s life (and their own) becomes wretched.
It’s easy to give in to a craving immediately. (In fact, it’s encouraged by the media.) But if you don’t consider the long-term implications, you will keep running into the hot sun, getting burned, and cursing yourself for not having stayed in the shade. Is that a cycle you want to get trapped in?
The next time you feel the urge to splurge during a sale, jump into a relationship, or implement a new policy at work on a whim, ask yourself: What is this going to demand (money, energy, or something else)? How much can I give without it taking a toll?
The popular saying goes, “Don’t just stand there, do something.” But you’d be surprised how much better your life can be when you “don’t do something, just stand there.”