7 minute read
Instant Gratification
Written by Rosemary McMaster
Like just about everyone else in the world, 2020 was a trying year for me. It was a year of a lot of struggles and changes, but it was also a year that allowed me to sit back and reflect on life. As we move further into 2021 and life slowly returns to normal, I find myself trying to hold onto one of the few good things that 2020 did provide: an appreciation for life slowed down. Pondering over this aspect allowed me to realize just how much we expect from instant gratification in our lives. What do I mean by instant gratification? These days, it’s all around us. Shopping is instant:
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You can find whatever you want on
Amazon and have it delivered the next day. Communication is instant: You can contact anyone by text or call.
Entertainment is instant: We have access to social media, streaming platforms, and much more with the click of a button. Relationships are instant: You can look through hundreds of potential partners in a matter of minutes with dating apps. Even knowledge is instant in this day and age because you can whip out your phone and look up anything you need to know in seconds.
As a young adult, the majority of my life has allowed me instant gratification. I grew up differently than the generations before me because anything I wanted or needed was always easy to access. While I’ll never be able to accurately say how different I would be if I was born 20 years earlier, I believe the age of the internet has both positively and negatively affected my life and the lives of many others.
In a lot of ways, the evolution of technology is a great thing. I can keep up with my sister who lives across the world. I can learn new skills, healthy recipes, workout courses, you name it. I can connect with amazing people and discover new opportunities. However, I also have to understand that this fast-moving gratification has distorted my perception of the world and, at times, stripped me of my patience. Nowadays, it feels like a hassle if I am waiting on a shipment that takes more than two days. My attention span has lessened over time, and it can be challenging to focus on one task for an extended period. I find myself searching for constant entertainment yet rarely being satisfied with what I find. In moments like these, I even have to remind myself to slow down, live in the moment around me, and stop expecting the immediate in everything.
Examining the effects of instant gratification has led me to understand how time and patience help us achieve our larger goals in life. The most meaningful goals that you will likely face in your lifetime, such as forming a healthy relationship, finding fulfillment in your career, or earning an education, take time and effort. One of my most significant struggles throughout 2020 was finding a new career and carving out the professional path I wanted to pursue. It was months of endless job hunting, interviews, and rejections, and it was only made worse when the pandemic rolled around. In those moments, it felt like I was never going to find what I was looking for. As frustrated as I was during this difficult period, I had to remind myself that earning a new job took dedication and patience. In the end, that waiting made it all the more gratifying when I was finally offered a position. I think a lot of us forget the value of putting time behind our actions. Many of us may have even lost touch with the small, everyday activities that take patience, like reading a book, writing a letter, or creating something new. A quick fix isn’t always bad thing, and having the world at our fingertips has definitely brought a lot of convenience and opportunity to the lives of many. Nevertheless, I believe there is still value behind delayed gratification. Incorporating patience into our lifestyles allows us to understand the effects of this fast-paced world and, in the end, our achievements will feel all the more gratifying.
Shreveport Welcomes
New Cosmetic Dermatologist DR. SKYLAR SOUYOUL
DR. SKYLAR SOUYOUL M.D. is the first Board Certified Dermatologist Shreveport has welcomed since 2015. Dr. Souyoul is joining double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Lindsey Pennington M.D. Drs. Souyoul and Pennington are combining their knowledge and expertise to combat and reverse the signs of aging from head to toe. They offer the latest in skin rejuvenation including surgical enhancement as well as non-invasive strategies such as injectables, lasers and chemical peels. If you are new to cosmetic treatments and are nervous, don’t be! Dr. Souyoul maintains, “If cosmetic treatments look unnatural, then they are going to the wrong place. The goal of cosmetic treatments should be to preserve and restore your beauty.”
While Dr. Souyoul is new to Shreveport, she is anything but new to the field of dermatology. Her resume includes participation in numerous clinical trials including the trials for the FDA approval of the latest neuromodulators, Jeuveau and DAXI, and the first and only injection for cellulite, Qwo. She is an expert in Botox, Kybella, Dysport, Sculptra, Radiesse, and the Juvederm and Restylane family of fillers. She is also proficient with a number of chemical peels and lasers. While her resume is impressive, her philosophy is simple, “I want my patient to look and feel like her best version”.
Dr. Souyoul practices aesthetic, medical and surgical dermatology at Lindsey Pennington MD Facials Plastics on Line Avenue in Shreveport. Walking into the office is more like entering a spa than a doctor’s office. “Our office operates on a small-scale to ensure we get to know each patient in order to understand their goals and best address their concerns. This allows us to develop customized treatment plans, and discuss skincare and lifestyle to ensure optimal long-term results.” says Dr. Souyoul.
A graduate from Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Souyoul completed her dermatology residency at Louisiana State University Health Science Center in New Orleans where she served as chief resident in her final year. After completing residency, Dr. Souyoul spent three years working and training in New Orleans with Dr. Mary Lupo, one of the country’s leading experts in the field of non-surgical skin rejuvenation. Dr. Souyoul is relocating to Shreveport with her one-yearold son and husband, Dr. Tyler Plauche M.D., a radiologist at Diagnostic Imaging Associates.
Dr. Pennington and Dr. Souyoul have a passion for taking the time to truly listen to their patients and address their concerns. They have the entire range of treatment options available. Regardless of your concerns, they can help. They both strive to maintain the highest level of care with up to date education and cutting edge technology, which they pair with a team of women who truly care.
Along with their team of medical estheticians, they are available for cosmetic or in-depth skin consultations to assess
Dr. Skylar Souyoul M.D.
Dr. Lindsey Pennington, Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon (Left), Dr. Skylar Souyoul, Board Certified Dermatologist
DR. SOUYOUL IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS.
To see her as a patient please call Pennington Facial Plastics at (318) 2165366. You can follow Drs. Souyoul and Pennington at @Penningtonfacialplastics on Instagram and Facebook for information on the latest skin care products, cosmetic injectables and skin rejuvenation procedures. Email: info@penningtonfacialplastics.com
6030 Line Avenue, Suite 110 Shreveport, LA 71106 •(318) 216-5366
what products and treatment plans are best for you as an individual. Dr. Pennington is highly specialized in facial procedures, injections, and surgery. She offers a full array of services from non-invasive injections of Botox and dermal fillers such as Juvéderm and Restylane to more in depth surgical procedures such as rhinoplasty (nose job), blepharoplasty (eyelid lifts), and rhytidectomy (facelifts and neck lifts). Her passion is to refine a patient’s natural beauty. Dr. Souyoul’s specialization in disorders of the skin covering the entire body and her expertise with noninvasive devices and injections of neurtotoxin such as Botox and dermal fillers make them a natural fit to team up and offer north Louisiana the region’s best cosmetic services. Come experience the difference with their office.
