SIMPLY COMPLICATED
“Buti pa dati Connie, simple lang ang buhay.” Once in a while I will remember my bestfriend telling me a few years back. And this is coming from a simple friend from the province who taught me to appreciate the smallest things. “Wow! Ang Ganda!” she will often blurt out. I can’t remember exactly to what she’s giving the complement to; only that she says it often (or was she looking at me? 😬 Was it the leaf or the sky or the building?). It was her who taught me to appreciate the often overlooked beauty around us, both God- and Man-made. And I cannot but feel a hint of heaviness in the words of a now successful clinician, mother, businesswoman who have been to many parts of the world. Actually, I agree with her (Buti pa dati, simple lang ang buhay Ninang?).

There are many things that make life in a way complicated now- more responsibilities, more roles, and more rules(!); less time to just watch TV or daydream (less time to waste you mean Ninang? Hmmm…), or just play with kids in the neighborhood (you’re not a kid anymore Ninang); more expectations from self and others, more wants (this we can do something about!). Well I remember a time I can just easily call the afternoon off and bring the kids to the park or an eating place (I miss those! May school na po kids!)

Yesterday, my brother called me, “Are you busy this week Ate?” That is such a hard question to answer (thoughts running: what does he mean? busy about things to do in the morning or things to do at night; busy about work or busy about social responsibilities; occupied about things I should accomplish right away, or to finally accomplish things put off in the past). “Ate, busy-busyhan?” (It’s really complicated! I’m definitely busy in my thoughts.) After looking intently at my calendar, and calming myself (after such a seemingly trivial straightforward question), and trusting he will not really demand of my time, and probably even treat me to a meal, I eventually texted “I am not busy this week brother” (Simple question, simple answer.. Dapaaat!)

So what really make things complicated? When we resist growth, maturity, change, and moving on; when we in a way rebel, want things instantly done, and ignore rules and guidelines; when we worry or fear too much and too long (snap out it!); when we refuse to level-up our efforts to embrace, enjoy, and work for progress in our midst; when we want more but want to do less, it’s really going to be complicated.

But complicated can be made simple; and remaining simple (deciding not to care), can make things more complicated. New roles and responsibilities must be assumed, and sacrifices must be made to keep up and take on the challenges of an advancing and constantly changing (whether to good or bad) world. We have to deal with more and varied types of individuals and groups. We simply must evolve to a more complex form; like mud becoming a functional vessel to serve better purposes (though more fragile! Handle with care!)

However, we can still keep the simple past in our calendars to make room for simple joys. And We can make the complex still simple in our heads..(and pretend work is just a complicated play with people, who like us were once simple..)

A: Laro tayo! Let’s do this project!
N: Sino taya?
A: Jack en Poy!
N: Talo ka! Ikaw Project Manager! Ahahahaha!
A: Ikaw naman taya susunod!!
N: Kung mahuli mo ako! (Nyeh nyeh nyeh nyeh nyeh…😋).

And Here is a refresher from an unassuming guy looking at things simply..

A Guy sees me, smiles, and seems to really enjoy hearing me talk and getting my attention. He sees my gift-to-myself, carefully-thought-before-buying, perspiring-while-paying-for relatively big Pearl Pendant. He looks at it intensely, admiringly, touched it and said.. “Ball!” 😋
– Simply complicated Ninang thoughts 😋
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:11-12)

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of Gods word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:11-14)

“How long will you simple ones love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?” (Proverbs 1:22)

“The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalms 119:130)

“You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, gain understanding.” (Proverbs 8:5)