Thursday, July 30, 2026
Fixing what’s broken
One widespread feature of modern life is that so many things are routinely disposed of and replaced. If something is malfunctioning, many times it can be cheaper and easier to get a new version than to repair the old one. — Ralph Marston
Yet this ease of disposal and replacement leads to an unfortunate mindset that eschews permanence. It promotes short term thinking that focuses attention away from enduring truths and solid, unwavering relationships.
There are aspects of life that cannot be thrown away without severe negative consequences. After all, what matter most are the things that endure longest.
In a culture that facilitates easy disposal and replacement, that’s essential to remember. Though maintenance and repair demand constant attention and hard work, in many situations that work must be done.
This is especially true when it comes to the other people in your life. It also applies to certain values, customs, and institutions that have long survived the test of time.
Just because some things are easy to replace, does not mean everything is. Often, you’re better off fixing what’s broken rather than abandoning it and starting over.
Copyright Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All rights reserved.