Here is a conversation I had with someone yesterday:
Me: Does it really have to be so complicated?
Him: No.
Me: Can we talk more about this?
Him: No need to. The answer is no.
I started laughing. A day later I’m still laughing. I have started several emails to him with follow up questions. As quickly as I draft them, I delete them. Because whatever question I come up with, I realize that it is always the same question.
Does it really have to be so complicated?
And I will always get the same answer.
No.
Wow! How did you know I needed to read this? Coupled with your "truth" piece the other day, I'm slooowly getting the message that I over-complicate most everything. Duh!
ReplyDeleteOne question: Can the answer just as easily be yes? Bet you can't say no!
Thanks, TOB! I sure do miss you--I must carve out time for a phone call!
I just knew--ha! I thought about your question. My first response was "no," but on further reflection, I could change the way I look at the question and answer "yes." So it is really even simpler than the conversation suggests. There are no questions and there are no answers. There is just what is. Simple!
DeleteI look forward to the phone call. Soon--I miss you too!
I so needed to read this light-hearted exchange after the dark deeds of this day, Galen. Does it have to be so complicated? Of course, NO! But people need to let go of the hatred and vitriol and negativity to be able to have true, uncomplicated dialogue.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
So true, Martha. Although my conversation was about something specific, I can see that the same question/answer applies to most anything, which is what made it so amazing to me. Such a sad time in our country.
DeleteI guess we can't say he has an open mind; if the answer is always "No".
ReplyDeleteI like the question?? Does it really have to be so complicated?
I ask that question to myself quite often. This one made me smile!
Loved your photo of the rose with the dew drops;so lovely!
Blessings and hugs!
Thanks, LeAnn. Interesting observation about a closed mind. I heard it differently--that things are never as complicated as we make them out to be. The answer to my question about whether it always has to be so complicated is always no, it doesn't always have to be so complicated. It can always be simple.
DeleteWhen I wanted to talk more about the topic, he stopped me with a smile to say that there was really nothing more to say about that question because things never have to be as complicated as we think. When I understood what he was saying, I realized that I was even trying to make the discussion about the question more complicated! Understanding his "simple" answer was like an awakening. It was perfect. That's why I started laughing.
I took that photo myself on morning. Glad you like it. Portland is the "Rose City" and right now it is in full glorious bloom.
Our minds love to complicate things and keep us preoccupied so we are thinking about the mental problems we created ourselves. This man is the Buddha :)
ReplyDeleteHe is indeed! I will let him know you said so, Vishnu. He will get a good laugh out of that. But it's true! His wisdom has clarified things for me for years. Nice to hear from you. Hope you are doing well.
DeleteWow !! what a beautiful image, I don't want to explain my feelings and complicate:):) thanks for your simplicity.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll offer a simple thank you in return!
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