The benefits of K.I.S.S.ing

We've all heard the phrase "Keep it simple stupid"... which I prefer to render "Keep it super simple" as the word "stupid" does little to inspire me.  We know that simplicity is desirable.  It can greatly diminish unnecessary toil, confusion and even heartache.  But how often do we stop to consider why this is actually the case?

Simplicity omits the clutter. It gets to the heart of things, cuts to the chase, and shows what's really going on. Simplicity is beautiful. It's a direct path to meaning. It is clear and straightforward.

On the other end of the spectrum, we've heard people explain a situation or relationship by saying, "It's complicated."  Some people even pride themselves on being complicated and wear the description as a badge of honor.  In such cases I often wonder if what those complicated folk mean is that they are complex.  Being complex is something altogether different than being complicated.

Complexity connotes depth, richness, a harmony of elements and so on.  Think of a favorite dish or wine or song.  These very well may be described as complex.  They may also be incredibly simple.  That which is complicated takes on a whole other set of characteristics.  Situations and concepts that are complicated tend to be rife with tangled webs of disparate elements, running amok on needless tangents, often with their own agendas.  Complication bears little resemblance to harmony or unity... or peace.

Simplicity is available to us all here and now.  It doesn't matter what patterns of thinking we've adopted or what we've been taught.  We can all begin to embrace simplicity in our thoughts, words and deeds.  It may seem like effort at first.  But once we've gotten into the swing of it, we'll see how simple it was all along.  And as a result, we'll experience harmony, simply.

Fallout

Yesterday I had a falling out with a pair of people I care deeply about and have known for years.  This was completely unexpected, especially since throughout the course of these relationships we've experienced no real discord to speak of.  The silly specifics of the situation don't deserve repetition.  The main thing at this point is determining what to do now.

Have you ever been in similar straits?  Feeling misunderstood... maybe even maligned... having your motives and actions called into question... or worse yet, did you take the bait and react to any of it?  What can we do when relationships appear strained or even broken?

In truth, I'm not exactly sure what to do next in my current situation.  But I do know that pointing fingers and adding fuel to the accusatory fire will do no good.  It's said that there are two sides to every story... but that sets the parties in the relationship on opposing sides!  That is precisely the point of contention where I am going to pitch my battle.  These dear ones and I are not foes in a war of wills and hurt feelings and, dare I name it, egos.  We are people who care about each other and have allowed a meaningless miscommunication to steal our joy, peace and goodwill.

Well the buck stops here.  While things settle down I need not just sit around and wait for tempers to cool.  I can actively love all involved (including myself) and see each individual in the best light possible -- the way I saw each prior to the nonsense.  We truly are all on the same side.  And it's the side of love.

More than a Label

Designer clothing labels, nutritional labels, personality disorder acronym labels... profiling, stereotyping, judging, assuming, gossiping.... We are surrounded by labels as well as the incessant temptation to affix them to people, places and things.  This can be helpful if one is looking for a music genre... and downright life-saving if one has a food allergy.  But what good is done by attaching labels to ourselves or our fellow man?

I have long very blonde hair.  Do I think of myself as an airhead or bimbo?  Hardly.  My paramour spends most of his timing being of service to others and has (*gasp*) no day job.  Do I view him as a slacker?  Not remotely.  Many of the labels we superglue to one another may seem innocuous enough, but may actually be more insidious than we realize.

Nevermind Sam. That's just the way he is.  
You know Mom... 
Susan is such a ditz. 
Joe is so opinionated.  
Kyle's late again. 
Chris is always so impatient.  
Dear Lorraine means well. But she is just so disorganized.  
I'm fat.

Sound familiar?  It may not be easy—in fact it may take exhausting vigilance—but peeling the labels off of one another will do more to beautify and add value to mankind than the most exclusive designer accessory ever could.  And underneath those labels, we'll have the pleasure of seeing ourselves as we really are.  And nothing could be more attractive.