Some people say Instant Gratifcation Takes Too Long. Uncle Wentworth thinks it may not take long enough

Here is a list of things to do now that will gratify you for a long long time:


1) Cut some firewood. As they say, it will warm you once when you cut it and once when you burn it.
2) Plant some bulbs or seeds.  Many of them will come back year after year, even if they are in pots on a balcony.
3) Subscribe to a magazine. Once you have paid for it, it won't care whether or not you are broke and it will come to see you every month.
4) Memorize a poem. You'll be amazed at how often you will find an excuse to quote pieces of it.  Cutting firewood is the kind of semi-mindless activity that is perfect for practicing your memorization.
5) Teach a song to a child.  Make certain it is one you really like, because he or she will sing it for you often.
6) Learn the Latin names of things. Like the poem, you will be surprised at how frequently this new skill set will appear.
7) Begin that journal.   Again.
8) Write a letter a week for three months- real letters. If you send more than one to the same person, chances are they will eventually send one back.   Keep copies for yourself.
9) Begin reading a series of books. I can recommend the James Bond books, starting with the Ian Fleming ones, of course, but you might also like the Aubrey -  Maturin series, or Kyril Bonfiglioli's Mortdecai books, or any of thousands of other series books.  The advantage of a series is that, while each book stands alone,  you will begin to understand more deeply as themes and characters recur.  Or you just might like the accumulation along your shelf.  Be warned, if you choose P.G Wodehouse, he wrote nearly 100 novels, so you will need to get started soon.
10) Enroll in a multi-lesson course.Cake decorating or masonry, or anything in between. If nothing else, it's a great excuse to get some new tools and equipment.  You may end up with new friends, a new career, or maybe just a new skill, but your life will change.

The list of new things to take up would take up the rest of your day, but you are never too old. Looking at the self-representing artists section on eBay will show you that people of all skill levels consider themselves artists and are able to sell their works.  Learning a musical instrument still takes practice, but you may find that other parts of it are much easier than the last time you tried, thanks to technology and maturity both.   If you are not inclined to learn another language, you might find a place in your community to help others learn the one(s) that you already speak, including English.

I hope that you have enjoyed this brief excursion into extended gratification.  If you have, please consider voting "helpful" for this guide below. I have written many many many other guides, in a variety of tones, on a variety of subjects. If you have a look,  you might find another one you like.  One of my favorites is Wentworth Tradd's Mostly Useless Guide to Fame.  Check it out.

WT