Simple vs. complicated

 IN the heat and frenzy of our modern life, where rapidity seems to be the main rule, disregarding the concern of whether we are in the right course or not, we need to pause if only to be able to distinguish between what is to be simple and what is to be complicated.

            The line has been blurred and all but deleted, and many of us do not care anymore whether simplicity still holds some value to us or whether being complicated holds no danger at all to us.

            We need to resurface the original and undeniable value of simplicity, highlighting why it should be pursued, developed and defended, especially these days when many complicating elements practically glut our existence in all levels.

            Simplicity, which is not equivalent at all to being a simpleton or being naïve, is an indispensable quality in our life for it conforms us to what is proper to our nature and condition, makes us see things very objectively and extensively, and enables us to go through the gyrations of life without losing our focus on our proper and ultimate end.

            It’s a result of a vital union of God, our Creator and Father, who is in fact absolutely simple in essence and power even if he has to contend with the potentially infinite twists and turns that our freedom can take.

            It’s a simplicity that is not rigid at all, but is all flexible, and ever adjusting and anticipating while respecting the way things in general are. In other words, it’s a simplicity that can take on anything, very dynamic and versatile, and would even know how to derive good from evil.

            It’s very much compatible with prudence, patience and hope, and goes all the way to live out the demands of charity, since it can prefer to suffer for any duration of time if only to gain the eternal goal of life everlasting with God who is our ultimate end.

            The opposite of simplicity is to be complicated, which happens whenever we detach ourselves from God and prefer to be guided by our own estimation of things—be it through common sense, our sciences and arts, our social, economic or political consensus.

            In that condition, we are actually making our own world, our own reality, our own set of truths and untruths that actually have no real basis. It’s self-interest that is served rather than the common good. Complicated situations are incapable of serving the good of all.

Yes, for a time, we may enjoy certain perks and advantages, but these will never last long, and in time, the fantasy will just collapse. The perks and advantages, the convenience and comfort that complicated situations give us are notoriously selfish in character, enjoyed at the expense of the necessary good of others.

If this predicament persists without being corrected, then we would be continually undermining the peace and harmony in society and in the world, in general. We would be generating distrust among ourselves, and chaos and collapse in the world would just be a matter of time.

We need to be more attentive to our duty to pursue, develop and defend simplicity. We will always know when we start to be and to get complicated, and we should try our best to avoid or fight that predicament right at the first instance when it makes its appearance.

We should be sincere with God, with ourselves and with others, because that is how we can build and keep simplicity and avoid complications. For this, we have to be ready to suffer, because in our present condition, we cannot help but encounter great difficulties and trials just to be simple, to be faithful to the truth, and to be with God.

We have already been warned about this, and we actually have been given the means to ably face these difficulties, challenges and trials: the doctrine of our faith, the sacraments, the development of virtues, etc.

Our sincerity, which is at the heart of our need for simplicity, should be based on our firm belief that we are children of God, who in his ever powerful, wise and merciful providence, is always there for us. We should not be afraid of whatever difficulty or trial we may meet in our pursuit for simplicity.

Simplicity is actually the demanding responsibility of facing reality realistically, and leads us to eternity. The complications we make, on the contrary, are expressions of our tendency to escape reality and make our own fantasy that is good only for a while.