Spoiled. When most people hear this word, they think of rotten meat or expired milk, but for me and many others, it is also a personality trait.

That’s right; I said it. I am spoiled, and if you feel everything you want is a must-have, still pout when you can’t have your way and just can’t understand why people won’t do what you want them to, then you might as well accept it.

You, my friend, are spoiled, too.

But in our defense, it is really not our fault. Usually a parent, grandparent, an older sibling or all of them combined have made us like this since birth.

So don’t blame us, we never even stood a chance.

Yet, whether it is because you are the youngest, oldest or an only child, don’t hide your head in shame just yet.

Contrary to popular belief, being spoiled is not always such a bad thing. Especially for those who use it toward the betterment of their lives and not just for petty materialistic reasons.

I define a “spoiled person” as someone who is accustomed to having things a certain way and will not settle for anything less. Being spoiled can sometimes even be the driving force in a person’s life.

For example, if you know that you won’t be satisfied unless you get an A out of a class, you’re more likely to put in the necessary effort.

I often use the fact that I am spoiled to push me in the “working world,” as well. On those days when I really don’t feel like going to work, I just think about the things I need and want and just get up and go.

If I was not spoiled and used to living and having certain things, I might not be as motivated to do what I have to do.

But being spoiled and being a brat are not to be mistaken as the same thing. Everyone will have to make sacrifices in his or her life at some point, but people who are spoiled try to make these sacrifices only when necessary. A brat is someone who does not want to work toward what they want and will never make a sacrifice to get it.

However, this so-called character flaw can also cause some people’s feelings to get hurt a lot in life.

I had to learn the hard way that you can not expect others to treat you as nicely as a parent or siblings might.

Even though a person might be spoiled, he or she must learn to function in a society where people are not so mindful of their feelings.

So for all my spoiled people out there who feel like they have got to have it all, go for it. Life is all about setting goals and standards for yourself.

I just believe we are the people who have to attain these goals in order to be truly satisfied and the last time I checked there was nothing wrong with a little satisfaction.

 

Brittany Wall is a junior journalism major from Jackson, Miss., and serves as news editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to bgw003@latech.edu.