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Little obsessions can take control
- By Zach Eckerdt
- Trail Staff Writer
- As I sit here typing this story, there’s something else on my mind. Something that’s been consuming my thoughts for the past two weeks. Something so important to America’s history, that nothing else deserves my attention. It’s, drum roll please, the Nintendo Wii!
Please, contain your excitement.
Yes, I know, it sounds like an odd obsession. Anyone interested in the video game world will know what I’m talking about: It’s the next “next-gen system” being introduced to the gaming world. But it’s different, breaking away from the average controller with motion-activated gaming.
This little obsession has led me to sell all my old Nintendo stuff on E-bay in an attempt to make enough to purchase this little piece of the future. In fact, as I type this up, I’m keeping an eye on the sales. About every three hours I’m sitting here waiting for the next bid.
When I finally do get the money, I’m sure you’ll see me sitting at Wal-Mart in the early hours of the morning, waiting to get my hands on the little white critter. Probably alone, but I’ll be there.
I know that some of you reading this right now are screaming, “Nerd alert! Nerd alert!” Although you may not be far from the truth, my point really isn’t that I’m buying a Wii. In fact, it’s more about how badly I want it. I even had dreams about it last night. It’s my little obsession.
As you laugh and think about finding me so you can shove me in a locker, I think you might realize we all have our “little obsessions.” Your extra-curricular practice, your X-Box 360, your truck, your car, your clothes, your hair, your makeup, the new movie coming up and the list goes on and on. “So what?” you ask.
And the only thing that comes to mind is every one of my elementary teachers saying, “If only you put have as much time into your (feel free to insert a word here).” As much as I hate it, every one of my teachers was right. What if we did but some of our obsession energy into something productive? What if instead of playing Halo 2, I put a little more work into my homework? I know there’re professors shaking their heads at me right now.
I live only 10 minutes from home, what if I made an extra trip home? What if I sat down to pray for friends and read my Bible for a couple extra minutes? I whine about not having time, and it almost scares me how much time I spend watching the same promo videos over and over again. They just keep reeling me in. I’m such a sucker sometimes.
Moral of the story, next time you sit down for your “little obsession,” think about what else you could be doing. Not that we shouldn’t set down time for our obsessions, but watch how much you do use. You might surprise yourself.
Needless to say, I’ll still be waiting at Wal-Mart on Sunday morning, cold and probably alone. But maybe instead of playing my Nintendo DS, I’ll do some homework. Maybe.
- Trail Staff Writer