Lizada: Simple things

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." -- Confucius

WE HAVE been in quarantine for six months now. We have seen and experienced the quarantines from E to M. And while this is getting used to, it has certain advantages. Mine came in the form of a realization when I was looking at my shoes. Let me put it in the form of a question. What have you bought for yourself in the past six months? Take aside all that that is necessary and vital, what have you bought for yourself during this six-month quarantine. When I answered that I was surprised. You see, I did not buy anything that was not necessary.

The wirings of my laptop had to be repaired and that was the only thing I paid for. Aside from that, I did not spend anything. Not on clothes, shoes, gadgets, or anything else. As I delved deeper into that I found myself laughing because in the past six months I only wore one pair of shoes, three pairs of pants, and about five shirts. I did not buy gel, perfume, or whatever else. Except for the basics, there was nothing that I bought. Aside from saving money, it made me realize that I can live more simply because I have always tried to live quietly. And this quarantine has done that.

How many shoes can you really have? How many pants or blouses or dresses do you really need? We all have survived somehow by just doing the bare minimums and we are happy with it, at least I am. When you are faced with little choices, your choices will reflect the most essential. The things that you just need and not want.

Life is simple, we are the ones who make a big fuss out of it. We all have managed to eat what is on the table and not what we wish to have. Of course, once in a while, we splurge by ordering takeout, but the majority of our meals have been what is served. Perhaps there was grumbling at first, and yet we managed, we accepted. Because it is just a matter of getting used to it. More so when we do not have choices. We survived. Sometimes having little or no choices is best. Vanity is shunned and humility emerges. A diamond necklace is nothing compared to a face mask. A face shield is far better than an emerald ring. The shield and mask can save your life. Try breathing through a diamond necklace and see if it can protect you from the virus.

Life is simple, let us not make it complicated with the triviality and the shallowness of our insecurities.

Here is hoping that after this is all over we will not forget. Remembering is not enough. Not forgetting teaches us.

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