“I know what I want. And I want it now. I want [it] ’cause I’m Mr. Vain.” Culture Beat song
In moments of desperation, we want an immediate answer to a vexing question or relief from an unbearable situation. We want resolution and we want it now, because the pain of waiting is too difficult to contemplate.
We most especially want an easy fix to the problem. And, if possible, a cheap one. And if it also has to be nasty, we tell ourselves that we can live with that.
And so we wrack our brains as to what we can do in this moment, in this hour to bring it about.
This kind of thinking, however, is delusional, in that we believe that somehow and, in some way, we have the power and the right to control things outside of our domain. We also delude ourselves that this hastily cobbled-together remedy will do the job. Most especially, we don’t give much if any thought to the long-term consequences of our brilliant quick-fix solution.
Two Quick-Fix Stories
“The soil of the quick fix is the seed of a new problem, because our quiet wisdom is unavailable.” Wayne Muller
Louis “spits the dummy”
Louis has been hanging around the rooms of a recovery program for the past few weeks. He came for a solution, for a magic answer to his addiction of more than 20 years and all he hears is “Keep coming back.” He leaves disgusted and disillusioned, believing that there must be a fast-track solution out there somewhere. He just hasn’t found it yet.
Marlene’s quick fix crumbles
Marlene’s back garden adjoins George’s. George is angry that her pet corgi has been escaping her backyard and digging holes in his veggie garden. He insists she do something about it right away “or else” and so she and her partner put together an unsightly fence made of old timber stored in their shed. The fence of course collapses within a week with most of the fencing falling into George’s garden.
Both Louis and Marlene have opted for the short-term fix and in both cases the original problem is not only still there but it has apparently been made significantly worse. What they seem not to know is that there is a simple solution for each of them that warrants their consideration.
The Gift of the Simple Solution
“Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy.” Isaac Newton
“Most things that are true are simple.” Vironika Tugaleva
There is no recipe for creating change. For most problems the answer isn’t in a book sitting on the shelf and it isn’t found by clicking a link in a Google search. Nor it is found by attending a few recovery meetings or by building a sub-standard fence.
There is, however, a simple solution for the problem at hand. While simple is the obvious way forward, it is not necessarily quick or easy or cheap.
However simple, thoughtfully executed and consistently applied, has the potential to bring about what is most deeply desired: a release from pain and a satisfying outcome. And perhaps the simple solution will arrive with some additional gifts, like interpersonal harmony and inner transformation.
Critically, the simple solution also places the accomplishment of long-term goals within reach.
In Louis case, the obvious and simple way forward is to continue his attendance at his recovery program meetings, by opening his ears to others’ stories of recovery and by doing the suggested things. His possible long-term goal? Sobriety and a more satisfying life.
In Marlene’s case, the simple and straightforward solution is to respectfully discuss with her neighbor the possibility of sharing the cost of a properly constructed fence along their common boundary. Her potential long-term goal? The building of good relations with her neighbor with both of them meeting their essential property needs.
Steve Jobs’ mantra for success was “focus and simplicity”. By keeping it simple, we eliminate the unnecessary and include the crucial elements required to achieve long-term goals. Of course it will require time, patience and wisdom to discern which is which.
