Why do very simple things sometimes seem so complex? Perhaps it is because of the way we perceive them. We tend to overcomplicate matters instead of thinking simply, even when logic points us toward a simpler path.
About a trip that was planned
Our family plan for a short vacation to upstate New York was in place, and at the beginning of the very week when we were supposed to travel, I ended up not feeling too well. Naturally, the thought of preparing for the trip did not even arise. We were scheduled to leave on Saturday, and by Friday morning, I was feeling quite anxious because I had not packed a single thing.
The dilemma: to go or not to go?
Earlier that day, my phone buzzed with a message from a friend who lives just a stone’s throw away from my house. She invited me to join her for breakfast; it was a completely impromptu plan. My first instinct was to say “no.” I had so much to do before my flight the next day: ironing, gathering everything I needed for the trip, and making sure the house was in order before I left.
However, better judgment prevailed, and after giving it some thought, I changed my mind and decided to go.
I would be out of the house for only a short while, so why was I making such a big deal out of it? After all, I wasn’t preparing for an expedition to the moon that required elaborate planning and preparation!
And the choice was right!
It was not just the hot, delicious dosas (well, I had two small ones!) that came straight from the pan to my plate and which I relished wholeheartedly. The best part was the time that I spent with my friend. Those forty-five minutes during which we talked about almost everything under the sun were truly amazing.
The conversation was so therapeutic that I returned home feeling refreshed and reinvigorated, ready at last to get prepared for my trip.
Everything that needed to be done before I left town was accomplished, and nothing was overlooked. Better still, I did not have to exhaust myself trying to get through my long list of chores.
Now I am back home after a much-needed break, and this small incident has given me pause for thought. It made me realize something that many of us tend to overlook: we often turn manageable situations into major concerns and in the process create unnecessary stress for ourselves.
Why perfection should not always be the goal!
How often has it happened that you have invited guests and found yourself working until the very last minute? It is always a joy to cook for and host people that you care about, and naturally you want your home to look tidy as well. However, there is no need to go overboard and strive for perfection in every detail. What truly matters is that you are able to enjoy the occasion alongside your guests and not be so exhausted that you can barely manage a smile.
Being meticulous, disciplined, and organized is certainly valuable and can make life much easier. Yet we can afford to relax our grip a little and still have everything in order. Why do we feel the need to be perfectionists in our everyday lives? No lifetime achievement award awaits us for getting every small thing done exactly right. Instead, we could slow down, ease the pressure on ourselves, and enjoy life a little more.
Loosen up and go slow!
There is an old saying that beautifully captures the essence of letting life unfold naturally: “The trees do not strain to grow, yet they grow. The rivers do not hurry to reach the sea, yet they get there.”
Taking it easy does not mean slacking off, lazing around, or expecting someone else to do your share of the work. Rather it means resisting the urge to optimize every moment and to treat every task like a performance. It is about allowing yourself occasional pauses, knowing that they can leave you more focused, energized, and productive afterward.
And as I wind up, I realize that the real test is still to come: putting my own advice into practice. After all, the preacher and the practitioner should ideally be one and the same!
rashmi writes 