Obviously the title of the post gives away my location to a certain extent. Winter is already here for some of our audience already. Winter will never come for those lucky users down South. (We’re all jealous Miami, don’t rub it in.) But this post isn’t really about the changing seasons, though it makes sense. I’m more interested in the lesson from one of my favorite TV shows, Game of Thrones.
For those who’ve never seen it, Game of Thrones is about a medieval-fantasy world similar to Lord of the Rings. What makes it awesome is the Sopranos- like drama as feuding families strategize for power. Hence the title, a game for the throne. Each family has “words,” a motto that represents their geographic location and culture. The Starks, the main protagonist family, live up in the freezing cold north. Their words, very appropriately are, “Winter is coming.”
If you watch Game of Thrones, you’ll understand the humor of this picture. If you watch Game of Thrones, you’re missing out on one of the best TV shows of the generation!
Similar to the Ant in The Ant and the Grasshopper, the Starks place a high value in preparing for the tough times. It’s a ethic I seem to battle with, because constantly focusing on the worst thing to happen seems to be so pessimistic. The Law of Attraction folks would probably say “visualize that only good things happen, and they will.” Obviously that seems naive and hokey-pokey. Where do you place the balance?
Then I came across what’s called the “Desire Paradox.” This psychological phenomenon states that people enjoy unexpected fortuitous events way more than expected events. That’s why finding five bucks on the street feels way better than a two hundres dollar present that you were expecting. Those who prepare for the worst, aren’t necessarily Debbie Downers. By looking towards the worst thing that can happen, anything good that happens can be seen as an awesome upgrade. You basically downgrade what you consider to be the norm. For example, if you save for a major hospital bill, if nothing bad happens, you just saved an bunch of money for something else. Get it? Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to put on my snow tires. Winter is coming.