Simple doesn't mean easy

"The truth is simple, if it was complicated, everyone would understand it."

Foreword.

Greetings, I have returned. Amidst the turbulent times in my personal life, I terminated my contributions to Vocal Creators. But then, as the dust settled and embers of my writing spirit reignited showing me way back to my creative journey, I looked over my past work only to make a resolute decision to delete my account and all my work like it never happened.

Perhaps what my soul truly craved was a blank canvas, not a reminder of yesterdays, but as I was reading through my stories a profound realisation settled over me - I have metamorphosed into a new incarnation. Though my stories were good and some of them had even gained outside recognition and earned me some money, they no longer mirrored the essence of who I have become. And so, I embarked on the audacious act of erasing all my literary achievements, as if they were nothing but fleeting whispers in the wind. The feeling was emancipating.

With this blank page before me, a dilemma emerged - what lies beyond? The need to pour my thoughts and emotions onto the page remained insatiable. Initially, I played with the idea of sharing a chapter from my upcoming book, seeking to showcase my craft. Alternatively, I considered weaving words for one of the Vocal challenges, yet neither option resonated with my awakened spirit. No, it had to be something altogether divergent, a creation that was more than just artistry - a piece that bared the essence and intimate reflection of my innermost thoughts - a controversial truth I believe that separates me from.. well... the majority.

In the flow of life, it's fascinating how we find authenticity and inspiration often from the most unlikely sources. And so it was on this occasion when an unassuming sentence nestled within an Instagram story pulled the strings of my inner being. This was not the first instance in which the author of the story had touched the depths of my soul. Time and time again, his words resonated within me, which as a fact itself has been a profound intrigue for me for many months already. The sense that someone with whom I have absolutely nothing in common, someone who lives a completely different life, in a different country and different culture shares the exact same views towards the world is unsettling and somewhat terrifying, but that is another story altogether.

Now, in the depths of my being, an urgent yearning appeared from within - an unstoppable desire to respond to that story and as I typed the message I was taken down the labyrinth of where my thoughts had wandered through. From this spark of inspiration, a newfound idea took shape for my maiden (yet again) Vocal Story.

Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy.

Yesterday, I had a conversation with an old friend, someone I've known since our primary school days, and with whom I shared a close bond for most of our lives. Despite the numerous bad decisions, mishaps, and self-inflicted problems that have peppered her life's path, there was always something that kept me holding on to her. She had an unwavering loyalty, a steadfast commitment to having my back through thick and thin—a rare gem in human connections.

Over the years, our paths seemed to drift apart, I moved countries and the distance between us widened, physically and mentally. I grew and grew again, yet she was stuck in the same life. Despite that, I always felt close to her, relatable in some ways, but when I spoke to her yesterday, everything felt different. She was depressed, had injured herself, and her work and home life were falling apart. Every aspect of her existence was screaming out for a desperate need of change, but she would refuse to acknowledge any of it stating that she had already made some changes and all these events meant nothing.

True to my nature, I shared my unfiltered thoughts with her. She knows me well, aware that I am only speaking harsh truths, sugar-coating nothing. I never pity her, but I offer my honest perspectives. Throughout our friendship, she had always listened, even if she rarely followed my advice. But yesterday, the script flipped entirely. She rejected my every word, every piece of counsel and insight. Her sole mission seemed to be finding faults in my life, a desperate attempt to prove that we were all in the same boat, struggling together and that I have it no better than she.

"No!" I declared firmly. "You cannot cherry-pick what you want to hear. You either listen to it all or nothing at all."

I had feared this day would come sooner or later. She had always been a somewhat lost soul, one of those individuals who simply allowed life to carry them along, claiming that whatever destiny God has set for her would come to pass no matter what she does and despite many attempts, I had never been able to penetrate her being with the fundamental wisdom that her life is in her own hands. Our actions as well as lack of actions are a decision and each decision leads to consequences. An ideology she was always unable to comprehend. Yesterday she responded to me with “You make it sound so simple, it never is simple!”

I rest my case. That was me done with her.

The essence of life's principles is rooted in profound simplicity - you reap what you sow. When you prioritise self-care, your life flourishes; when you devote excessive time to pleasing others, your own well-being suffers. When you invest in personal growth, the world within transforms for the better; when you invest in the people around you, the world outside also improves. Yet, despite the fundamental cause-and-effect nature of our existence, we, as humans, often struggle to grasp the interconnectedness of actions and reactions. All it takes is making good decisions and following through with them, but in our modern era, self-help books and social media influencers tend to overcomplicate life's obstacles, offering constantly changing analogies and interpretations. However, the truth lies in the foundational simplicity that underlines everything. Yes, there comes a "but."

Though the truth itself is simple, traversing its path is far from easy. The simplicity of life's principles is born through relentless hard work. Consider the intricate process in nature—how much must align for a tree to grow. Planting the seed is only the beginning; it requires the right balance of water and sunlight for the natural process to unfold. Each element seems straightforward—water and sun—but finding the harmonious balance is a delicate task - too much of either will kill the seed. How many people do you know who are capable of growing a tree from a seed?

Exactly!

Indeed, everything worth having demands hard work. Yet, the most valuable things in life are often the simplest - a prime example being health. It is a seemingly simple state to possess, but its maintenance requires work and dedication. It requires awareness of the fact that everything we think, do and eat has a direct impact on our health and we need to make our choices accordingly. The majority struggle to grasp the fundamental concept of our body's basic needs and for most of our lives, we find ourselves in an eternal cycle of treating symptoms rather than eliminating the cause.

As the author of the story wrote - 'The truth is simple, if it was complicated everyone would understand it'. But I can add to it that the work around it, is hard, if it would be easy - everyone would do it.

But why don’t we? Even when we know it will change our lives for the better - what stops us?

The answer is also simple: We are weak. Full stop.

Each generation seems to grow weaker, losing the ability to judge, evaluate, fight for what is right, and work towards what is necessary. The growing sense of entitlement dominates society, where the expectation is for the world's goodness to be served on a silver platter at birth. Bound to our devices, we adopt a consumer mentality, falling victim to the allure of the latest lifestyle, beauty, business, or food trends. Suddenly, everything that was once considered natural, the very foundations upon which the human race has thrived for generations, is labelled as toxic and dangerous - from our actions to the food we eat. And no one questions it.

Why?

Because accepting that we are being lied to is hard because making the right choices is hard, eating good food is hard, staying healthy is hard, and standing up for fundamental values and simple truths is hard.

Life, in all its complexities, presents us with a constant battle - an internal struggle against our own limitations and the echoes of our past. It is a ceaseless conflict that only reaches its conclusion when we draw our final breath. However, it seems that our willingness and capacity to engage in this battle are diminishing.

Why do we witness a rise in depression? Why do so many people struggle with their identity and suffer from poor health? The answer is remarkably simple - we have forgotten the fundamentals of life. We have neglected the importance of embracing the simple truths that reside at the core of our existence.

Though it may not be the desired response, the truth remains simple: if you find yourself struggling, the path to liberation will undoubtedly be complicated involving many hours of learning about life itself. But rest assured, it will be a journey worth undertaking.

It is essential to revive our knowledge and our appreciation for the simple aspects of life, to honour the fundamental simplicity of life's truths. By doing so, we can rediscover the path towards a fulfilled life, become the best version of ourselves and ultimately, achieve life that transcends the struggles we face.

Afterword.

Why did I choose to write about this, you may ask? How does it resonate with the essence of who I am and reflect my innermost thoughts? And how is this subject worthy to be my first Vocal Creators comeback story?

These contemplations encapsulate the profound hopes, fears, and unwavering dedication I possess as a parent. I stand apart from the modern norm, embracing a different approach to parenting - one rooted in presence, communication, and a refusal to surrender parental responsibilities to technology.

As a parent, I've spent the last few years feeling like a lone warrior, locked in a battle against the world. I've poured my heart and soul into preserving my children's sanity and instilling within them the timeless values of life. Yet, with each passing year, the modern influence of social pressures and the relentless need to follow the latest trends present constant challenges.

Now, at my humble age of thirty-eight, my eldest son has reached a significant milestone of eighteen years of age. While I believe I've done a commendable job as a mother so far, now more than ever a relentless question lingers in my mind - have I truly given my all? Have I fulfilled my role as a mother? Will he emerge as a compassionate and morally aware individual in adulthood, and will he be able to navigate his own path based on fundamental values and timeless principles? These thoughts are haunting, leading me to scrutinise his every action, fearing that any of his flaws are a reflection of me as a mother.

My son loves life, he embodies positive qualities and lives life to its fullest instead of being a victim of technology and the latest trends. I've received praise from teachers, coaches, fellow parents, and friends for the admirable young man he is becoming. However, sometimes it feels like the world is always trying to corrupt him, tempting him with disillusioned ideas and steering him away from the path he has chosen. It is an ongoing struggle, and relentless battle to shield him from losing sight of life's true meaning.

As I navigate the complexities of existence, juggling my own life and the responsibilities of raising a child in a world that often veers off-course, this story stands as a testament to my unwavering commitment to my children and my firm belief in the impact a parent can have on shaping the destiny of their child's life. Amidst these reflections, I cannot help but wonder if I will be able to leave a time withstanding impact on his journey. Will my influence on his decisions last long enough for him to grasp the essence of life and will I see him succeed in the ability to unleash his full potential without my guidance?