Thursday, December 9, 2010

Simple versus Complicated


I’ve always been fond of using the word “character” to describe something I like. That chair has “character”, that shirt has “character”, that building has “character”. I’m not sure where I picked that up, but I enjoy describing things or people that way. I guess it’s because, in my head anyway, when something has “character”, it means that it has a story to tell, as opposed to, for example, a chair that is really just a chair, or a shirt that is really just a shirt, or a building that is really just a building.

Which is one of the reasons why I’ve always found the notion of a “simple” life fascinating. How is it possible? Even a person who has practically nothing in life, and who has never left his house, is still a complex individual, if only because of his reasons for having nothing, or for not wanting anything. No one is ever truly simple; we are made up of rationalizations, impetuses, emotions, thoughts and ideas, so much so that to ascribe the word “simple” to any of us is to insult the very nature of our humanity. Even people who do not think are complex, if only we take the time to understand why they do not think in the first place. 

I remember my grandfather, the son of a married man and his mistress, who grew up in one of the poorer towns of Pampanga. He was a farmer, who managed to raise 8 children properly, all with college degrees, and who all work as professionals. He lived a “simple” life, simple in the sense that he is not greedy, or lustful, or ambitious. He just wanted to give his children a better life than he had. So I’ve always thought of him as a simple man, one not prone to self-aggrandizing stories, or ambitious dreams. He preferred the sidelines, always shining the spotlight on everyone else except himself.

And then he told me this one story, during the Japanese-American-Philippine war, when he joined the Hukbalahap movement, which was then a military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines. He was a rebel soldier, one of many who wanted to fight against the Japanese empire’s invasion of the Philippines in WWII. He never elaborated on his reasons why he went and joined the Huks, only that he did, because, as he said, he felt it was the right thing to do at the time.

And he recalled the time when he was caught by Japanese soldiers, and he and his comrades were arranged neatly in a row so that they could all be killed efficiently. He was kneeling on the ground, with a rifle pointed at his head. He was waiting for what probably seemed like the inevitable when the soldier shot the gun and, of all things, tripped. My grandfather swore he felt a bullet fly next to his head. He thought it was the most amazing thing.

Then chaos ensued. My grandfather realized that another group of Huks came in before the soldier could try shooting at him again. Some more fighting went on. My grandfather kept his head and ran, seeking cover. He was astonished that he managed to make it out of there alive. He could not believe his luck.

And he told me that that is the reason why he considers his life, and my dad, and uncles, and aunts, and his grandsons and his granddaughters’ lives as gifts. He was supposed to have died, and yet he didn’t.

After that story, I could never look at my grandfather the same way again. How can someone I thought was so simple have a story so wonderful and complex? I learned, once again, how people, even the ones you know, can surprise you.

I realized simplicity is an illusion. To be human, necessarily, is to be complicated.

Featured photo taken here.

53 comments:

  1. Love this post, Fickle. You are right. Often, the simplest-seeming people have the most complicated of pasts. Thanks for sharing some of your ancestry with us!

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  2. This is such a wonderful post. You are right, there is nothing simple about a person. We are all complex creatures.
    That was a great story about your grandfather. A longer life was given to him as a gift, and he used it well.

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  3. Maybe someone is simple in the most complicated way... Hmmm this is such a deep post, really makes you think,, great one Fickle!


    check out my blog @ amberlashell.com and tell me about your sex drive :)

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  4. Wow, what an amazing story. The experiences that our grandparents and even our parents went through are so beyond anything our generation has dealt with.

    I've always thought of simplicity as not letting the superfluous things (like money and cars and other material things) get in the way of what really matters. My father is fond of saying that 'simple living, high thinking' is the way to live life. I try to follow that path.

    Jai

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  5. Excellent point and excellent story. As for having character and using that word - I do it all the time!

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  6. You can never really tell what another person has been through but these things often give that person *character*. The bad things can mould that person into a stronger individual.
    That was quite a story!
    Thank you for visiting me.
    Maggie

    Nuts in May

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  7. What a lovely story! I always enjoyed when my Grandpa was telling me stories about the war, it's amazing what they went through.

    And yes, I think that people are way too much complex that we would call someone "a simple person".

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  8. I completely agree with what you are saying, we are and always will be complex characters, forever searching for the next best thing, the next injection of happiness/ money/ success/ fun etc. But isn't it a great thing to strive for more simplicity of mind and of life? I try to do it everyday.

    Great post, Emilie (www.emiliedoves.blogspot.com)

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  9. This post is the most touching thing I've read these days. Really wonderful and so true. Respect.

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  10. I totally agree and I love the way you put it :)

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  11. I would have liked to have met your Grandfather, a very interesting character :)

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  12. That's a great story! Some of my favorite conversations are with people from his generation. They never give everything away though. Just tasty tidbits. It gives that era an alluring air of mystery.

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  13. Maybe simplicity is one of the coping mechanisms people use when things are too complex? So a person by nature is complex - but their reaction to that is to live/project/think simply? Or maybe I'm just having a bet each way ...

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  14. Thank you for visiting my blog. This is a great story. I have much to say about the human condition - but it's complicated.

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  15. What an amazing story! I only found out recently from my Grandma that she was almost killed in the Blitz twice so I was very lucky to be here at all.

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  16. Thanks for visiting... how'd you find me?

    Complexity, thy name is human.

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  17. no one is truly simple... too true.

    we all have so many complexities... so many intricate details that make up who we are... so many memories and stories about where we have been, what we have seen and survived; some that need to be told, and others that we need only share with ourselves, eh?

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  18. I love this post.

    I try to teach this concept to my kids. Things are not always as simple as they seem. You have to look deeper at them - at the layers and complexities of it. For instance, yesterday in the car my son was complaining that his sister was a brat. I talked to him about how much his sister loved him and wanted his attention and affection and pointed out how when he is nice to her, she is nice. When he is ignoring her she acts out to get his attention. When he talks to her she tells him how handsome he is, how smart he is etc. When he ignores her she hates him. Pretty deep huh? LOL When he thought about it he was blown away. Sorry that had nothing to do with your story but for a child it was pretty profound.

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  19. Good points, I've always lived by the maxim that I can learn something from everyone.

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  20. Thanks for visiting my blog. I love your stories! Being a literature major I can truly appareciate your verse!
    http://confessionsofachronicwanderluster.blogspot.com/

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  21. Turns out we can't always tell the book by it's cover.

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  22. What an amazing story! I cannot imagine having my perspective set up for me in such a way....

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  23. You're right. People are never simple.

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  24. Wow - that's some story about your grandfather! Sure puts a whole new perspective on life.

    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

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  25. Amazing story and very thought provoking x

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  26. Wonderful post. Really drives your point home about something or someone that appears simple can really have layers of complexity.

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  27. I love your posts...

    it opens my heart. :) ♥

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  28. You are a very eloquent writer and I look forward to more posts in the future.

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  29. You know what, not only your post, but YOU!! I like you, inspires me to write better and significant post!! It's not a trouble reading even your longest post...!

    I'm always looking forward to read your blog... because I do not only enjoy but I learn something significant.... and I love it!

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  30. Hi,
    Great post about your Grandad. Both mine were killed in the war. My Dad never met his Father and my Mum was an infant and can't remember hers. I guess, had the war started a few months earlier, I might not even be here typing this. Spooky.
    How did you find my blog by the way?
    All the best.

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  31. Very well said.

    http://flusterme.blogspot.com/

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  32. Great post, like your blog. Thanks for commenting on mine.

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  33. Wow, I wish someone would share that kind of story with me too. I unfortunately, or fortunately, don't know anyone who has been in a war. It's really nice of you to pass on your Grandfather's story. I've never met my Grandfather, any of them actually. And I have three. Grin.

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  34. that was a beautiful story. its as if it just come out of a war and peace sort of novel..and it makes it more beautiful knowing its a true life story. a person who has seen death at so close quarters has lived to tell you this. thank the moment, the short second where the japanese soldier had tripped.

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  35. Great story - yours and your grandfathers! Very true. We too often don't take the time to think about the drives and motivations of others - too busy with our own, I guess. Thanks for visiting my blog (and yeah, meditating makes me itchy too but I will keep working on it!)

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  36. You have hit the nail on the head about character. Also about looking at our ancestors and seeing real people and not just names from the past.
    Thanks for sharing.
    I love your site, I'll be back often.

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  37. Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. It's so nice to have visitors. I hope you will return often. I certainly will return to yours after that wonderful story. What an amazing adventure! You are a good writer. Can't wait to read more.

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  38. Whoa, that was action-packed yet in an emotionally compact way. Great post, I'm sure your grandfather has enough stories for plenty more blogging haha. Also, thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog. Much appreciated :P

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  39. I think you are absolutely right - we are complex people in complex lifestyles looking to simpliy our lives. Is that possible? sandie

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  40. Wow, what a great story! What an awesome grandpa. To me, simple people are people we haven't gotten to know yet. That kind of goes the same way for characters in books or stories. They may be classified as "flat" or "static" but really, the readers just' don't know them well enough.
    Thank the Heavens your grandfather was so lucky because then we wouldn't have this wonderful blog to read!
    Take care
    Miranda<3

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  41. Nice post, I find i'm more drawn to things/people with an interesting character too.

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  42. Inspirational, thanks for posting it up.

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  43. Nice one, I think some people are simple out of necessity, because otherwise the complexities of their life would overwhelm them. Sometimes you just gotta shut stuff out and do your own thing.

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  44. This is the first time I have visited your blog. I'm glad it was during the story of your grandfrather's life. Stories from our families help us to understand better who we are. Thank you for sharing your story.

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  45. That's an astounding story about your grandfather. I can only imagine how an experience like that would change your perspective on life. I had a patient once who was a POW in the Korean War and had essentially the same thing happen to him. But it changed him for the worse, unfortunately.

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  46. wow...the post inspires to look at people in my life more closely and cherish them...

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  47. That was a really awesome post. I had a few moments like that with my grandma when she tells her stories... and it totally chnages how you look at them! They lived really amazing lives. Thanks for sharing your story!

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  48. I love the idea that something or someone that has "character" has a story to tell. It resonates so well, but I have never thought about it in those terms!

    Your story about your grandfather was also lovely. What an inspiring post!

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  49. I really love your writing, it's so personal and expressive. This is what I'm trying to do in my blog, express who I am and find commonalities between people. Keep writing!

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  50. http://acprettynpink98.blogspot.com/

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