I like to make things unnecessarily complicated. I suspect that my “making stuff more complicated” is a combination of two things; not taking the time to assess the simplest path, mixed with the deep belief that if a pursuit takes more time and energy to complete, it is more valuable.
Maybe The Solution To Your Problem Is As Simple As A Seashell
The other day some friends of mine were at the beach with their two-year-old son, Bauer, a smiley, little squatty person with big, blue kryptonite eyes. While constructing a complicated sandcastle near the water, his mama suggested that they find some seashells to “adorn” their castle. Bauer was off like a jet, running forty feet down the beach on his mission. Sand was kicking up behind his tiny tennies when he stopped, looked down, picked up what must have been a shell, and screamed “I FOUNDDDDDDD ONEEEEEE!” Problem solved.
Here is the interesting thing about this particular beach. There are shells EVERYWHERE, including dozens around the immediate area where the castle was erected. Finding “adornment” was only a matter of perusing the immediate area, reaching over from his sand-castle-building-position, and grasping any iteration of a suitable seashell. But in his wisdom, he reacted and just assumed that the shell he had been dispatched to retrieve had to be several miles down the beach.
How often have we been faced with a problem, and reacted by running desperately in search of a solution? The answer couldn’t possibly in front of eyes – nothing is that easy….or is it? If we stop and take a moment we may find that the solution to “adorn” our issue might be much more elemental.
So, when you are face-to-face with the next complex issue in your life, consider the simplest solution. Maybe, it is the one that first comes to mind. The simple solution just may be the “seashell” needed for the “sandcastle” at hand.
Bauer’s dad did our post for Cedar Plank Salmon last year!
Bauer’s dad also taught us how to make Avocado Eggs Benedict.
3 Responses
Great story and pictures, except Bauer’s family is upside down!!! 🙁
That’s funny Karin, I checked on several devices and they are not looking upside down on those. I will check further into it. Thank you for reading.
H.
Love the “Sea shell” post. It is SO me in a, well…Sea Shell. 🙂 I am far too practiced at making a mountain out of a mole hill in a split Nano-second.
I feel this mind set among the masses, may come from the chaotic rapid pace that our world exists of now days. We are programmed to be in a hurry, things around us are noisy and bulleting by. Therefore, we sometimes do not stop first to assess the issue, the solution, we just bolt. When faced with a task, a problem, a mission, if I were to just wait a minute and listen and look and digest, it may become so much more clear and simple. As you suggested, it could be right in front of us.
I am not sure if this applies to the Bauer adventure with finding the perfect sea shell. I think that may have been a moment for him full of wonder, excitement, and pure glee. That is a gift that our young people hold within, before the chaos and warp speed of the world come to stifle it.
Thank you for the reminder of looking and listening. And the great story of a child’s combustible curiosity.
Namaste~