Sometimes, we spend so much energy trying to build complex versions of ourselves that we forget who we actually are. Pema Chodron’s words remind us that there is a quiet kind of violence in denying our own simplicity. We often think that to be worthy or important, we must be complicated, layered with achievements, or shrouded in mystery. But when we reject our basic, simple nature, we are essentially at war with our own hearts. We create a friction that exhausts us, constantly trying to maintain a persona that is far more heavy than the truth.
In our everyday lives, this shows up in the way we handle our mistakes or our needs. We might feel that admitting we are tired, or that we need help, or that we simply don't know the answer, is a failure. We wrap our struggles in layers of excuses and complex justifications because we are afraid that our simple truth isn't enough. We treat our basic human vulnerabilities as something to be hidden or solved with more complexity, rather than something to be embraced as part of our natural design.
I remember a time when I felt completely overwhelmed by my responsibilities. I was trying to act like I had everything under control, crafting this image of a perfectly organized duck who never lost her feathers. I was telling everyone I was fine, even when I was secretly drowning in tiny, manageable tasks. One afternoon, I just sat down and admitted to a friend, I am actually quite overwhelmed by very small things. That moment of admitting my simplicity, of letting go of the need to be a powerhouse, was the most healing thing I ever did. The world didn't end; instead, the weight simply lifted.
When we stop fighting our simplicity, we find a profound sense of peace. We stop the internal aggression of trying to be something we aren't. There is a beautiful, quiet strength in being able to say, I am here, I am simple, and I am enough. It allows us to breathe again and to connect with others without the armor of pretension.
Today, I want to encourage you to look at the areas of your life where you are being too hard on yourself. Are you making things more complicated than they need to be? Try to take one small step toward embracing your simplest truth. It might be as easy as admitting you need a rest or simply acknowledging a feeling without judging it.