Does Life Need To Be So Complex?

"Life is not complex.  

We are complex.  

Life is simple,
 and the simple thing is the right thing.
"

Oscar Wilde

Remember back to when you were younger…..life was easier, right? I know sometimes it can seem that way. But the truth is life can still be easy. The big difference is we are older. And the older we get, the harder we make things for ourselves.

When we were young we saw the world through simple, hopeful eyes. We knew what we wanted and we had no biases or concealed agendas. We liked people who smiled. We avoided people who frowned. We ate when we were hungry, drank when we were thirsty, and slept when we were tired.

As we grew older our minds became gradually disillusioned by negative external influences.  At some point we began to hesitate and question our instincts. When a new obstacle or growing pain arose, we stumbled and fell down. 

When this happened several times, we eventually decided we didn’t want to fall again. But rather than trying to solve the problem that caused us to fall, we chose to avoid it all together.

As a result, we ate and drank to numb our wounds and fill our voids. We worked late nights on purpose to avoid unresolved conflicts at home. We started holding grudges, playing mind games, and subtly deceiving others and ourselves to get ahead. 

And when that didn’t work out, we lived above our means, used lies to cover up lies, and ate and drank some more just to make ourselves feel better again.

Over the course of time, we made our lives harder and harder, and we started losing touch with who we really are and what we really need.

If you nodded your head to any of the points I raised here you will want to read next week’s blog for ways you’re likely making your life harder than it has to be, and some ideas on simplifying things.