simplexity simple complex

 

Life is not as simple as it seems.  Or maybe it isn’t as complicated as it seems.

 

Shit.

 

Maybe its both … at exactly the same time.

 

I cannot remember where I found all these awesome “life formulas” but I love the way they take complex life things and simplify them into basic equations (note: I apologize to the creator for not being able to source).

 

And in their incredibly obvious simplicity there is a nuanced complexity that makes you think about the truth they contain.

 

 

The first one I ever saw was the truth equation.

 

 

Truth.

What I think happened divided by what really happened.

 

Brilliant.

 

It got to the core truth behind … well … truth. And it makes you wonder a little why there isn’t a class somewhere in maybe high school where they teach you stuff like this. Or at least make you think like this. It may seem silly at first glance but it is a really interesting exercise.

And back to truth?

 

What you think divided by what really happened.

 

By dividing it can equal, diminish what you think or actually be bigger by such a margin it actually marginalizes what you originally thought.

 

Awesome.

 

And when I see Life defined by formulas like this I begin to think about what makes 100%.

 

Well.

 

 

It actually made me begin by thinking about “giving 110%.” Which is actually kind of silly when you think about it.  Is it really possible to actually give more than 100%?

 

<answer: no>

 

And what the hell is more than 100%? (unless you are bionic you cannot answer that)

 

I do know as I think about this 110% thing it makes some want to bring one of these formulas along with me to a meeting and if someone suggests you to give over 100% (that infamous 110%) maybe I would force them to show us how to do just that mathematically.

 

When someone does say that … aren’t they really saying “give me 100% <because I know you are juggling things and I need you to focus on this>.”

 

So why can’t we just tell the truth and say “c’mon … its not extra effort … its just focus. Focus 100% on this.”

 

<albeit it doesn’t sound as inspiring or leader like or gung ho-ish … yeah … I just typed ‘ho-ish’>.

 

Anyway.

 

 

From there I actually began thinking about the whole 100% we are supposed to give in life.

 

100% is tricky. Is it defined by effort, focus, the best of our abilities or the best we can do <at that time>?

Whew.

Now THERE are some choices for ya.

 

Life is a constant juggling game <or a balancing act>. There’s always balancing that needs to be done.  And there are always tradeoffs.

 

Ah.

 

But.

 

I think there is a difference between juggling and balancing.

 

Juggling is all about keeping track of a bunch of things … all up in the air.

 

Balancing is all about … well … balancing … evening things out.

It seems to me that is one is more controlled chaos-like <juggling> … and the other is a more prioritizing of actions <balancing>.

 

Wow.

Makes me think of whether I am a juggler or a balancer. And that makes my head hurt.

 

Regardless.

 

Aw.

Anyway <quit babbling Bruce>.

 

 

There is a simplicity that these formulas give us in thinking about life.

 

 

Disappointment being expectation divided by reality.

 

–          Which suggests it is our own inability to manage our expectations that create a sense of disappointment. Makes you think a little, huh?

 

Shock being expectation minus expectation.

 

–          The unequivocalness <that isn’t really a word> of this is brilliant.

Modern art being the belief you could do it plus the fact you didn’t.

 

–          The formula nicely builds, instead of divides or subtracts, to heighten the value

 

The slight cynicism built into diamonds being forever … balanced by whether you are a jewel thief (awesome)

 

 

Oh.

 

And obligation.

 

This one is fabulous.

 

Starts with do. Just the action itself. Add on “the right thing” so value increases by doing the right thing … and then plus or minus the amount of guilt.

 

Very very nice.

 

I actually see a great class session for young people somewhere in this life formula idea. The ability to simplify the challenges, the decisions, the actions in life into equations. It is a nice way to be able to point out some complex critical thinking in life.

 

In the end, while it may seem silly, I think it is a good and interesting exercise.

 

Particularly if you are juggling, or balancing, a bunch of crap and making so many judgment calls your head seem like it is going to explode … these simple formulas, in a really weird way, provide perspective.

 

 

Maybe you have an obligation to give this a shot if you feel overwhelmed with life.

 

Because maybe, in their simplicity, maybe you find more balance.

 

And that … I am pretty sure in my pea like brain … is a good thing.

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Written by Bruce