Monday, March 28, 2011

Complacence…the dictionary defines this as quiet satisfaction or contentment. Often, it refers to self-satisfaction or smugness.

Earlier, I was having an involved conversation with a good friend about how complacence factors into much of what people are willing or unwilling to do. On a more global level, we discussed how, as a whole, society is unwilling to pay a little more, or work a little harder to do the right thing, instead opting for the “quick fix,” rather unconcerned with what the long-term results of those actions will be. Worse yet, many don’t have the where-for-all to reason that though the short-term effects may not directly impact them, the long-term ones might.

On a more individual level, my friend mentioned how many aren’t aware of what they really need. As such, he reasoned that they aren’t capable of discerning what they need to do to achieve their goals. I told him I disagreed. I believe that people do know what they want—on a base level—but may be unwilling to acknowledge such, knowing that to reach their goal, will involve change and effort on their behalf. This, I told my friend, is where complacence kicks in, inclining folks to sit back and accept rather than to strive for something more.

My friend and I tossed around tons of examples of how complacence has played a repeated factor throughout the world’s history. We marveled over how time and time again, entire societies have disregarded what they should have done in favor of the “quick fix.” In the end, doing so always backfired on them. Then we shared about individuals we’ve known who fell into the same trap, and how for them, the end result wasn’t the ultimate favorable one they’d hoped would evolve.

Our conversation began to wind down with us agreeing that everyone has within them the potential to over-ride complacence, but how many will opt to not impart that ability…instead reaching for the “quick fix.” We concluded with expressing how grateful we are to those who are willing to make the extra effort to rise above complacence and do what’s necessary for the best possible outcome.