To scratch or not to scratch.
I was talking to someone recently about bug bites and other itchy sores. The question came up of whether it's better to scratch them for the instant (albeit temporary) gratification, or better not to scratch and allow it to heal. I fall firmly on the side of not scratching. It's a mentality that affects many of the choices I make. Food is one example. When we choose what to eat we have to weigh the taste and satisfaction gained against the potential downside, such as negative health effects. McDonalds is betting that people will go for the instant gratification without regard for the associated damage to your heart, and for the most part they're right. But that's not what I want for my life. I don't want to make tradeoffs that I'll regret later. And in the end not scratching can be just as rewarding, because it gives you a greater sense of control over your destiny. The bite heals on its own soon enough.