Today we must praise simplicity. It is a rare virtue that we want to appreciate in others, but perhaps we are not convinced that it is also very good for us. Some, due to their accumulated life experience, harbor a certain distrust of what is natural and simple; and, fearing they will be deceived when they encounter a simple person, they strive only to find out what that person is hiding.
Many people may consider simplicity to be useless in the struggle for life that we face every morning. I must confess that I am moved every time I meet a simple person who is «natural or spontaneous, uncomplicated in character, free of reserve or artifice,» as defined by the dictionary; and when faced with other human beings who are also simple and who, according to the dictionary, «in their dealings with others, do not assume an attitude of superiority in terms of status, intelligence, knowledge, etc., even if they are.».
The simple man enjoys the kindness of others, rejoices in the joy of those around him, and enjoys the sixth sense of discovering beauty and goodness around him. I see him as if he were always at God's side, thanking Him for creation.
A sunset by the sea, a sunset viewed from the top of a mountain, a peaceful conversation with a friend... the simple man savors every detail. His simplicity opens the horizon of his spirit to the greatness of God, of the world, of all creation; the greatness of friendship, the greatness of the company of a loved one and the wonder of love that is enclosed in a grateful heart; the greatness of a spirit that rejoices with the joy of those around him...
In this rediscovery, the intelligence of simplicity finds a place for everything in the order of the universe. With simplicity, one enjoys conquering the moon; and no less joyful is smiling at a newborn baby, helping an elderly woman who is somewhat helpless to cross the street, comforting a grandchild who is suffering the first professional failure of his life, rejoicing with a neighbor over a lottery prize...
I don't know if we are still too influenced by Nietzsche's miserable dreams of greatness, with his superman in tow; a superman who is weak in intelligence and has feet of clay, the product of an evasive imagination.
Or perhaps it is our innate sense of tragedy that prevents us from discovering the value and flavor of ordinary things, leading us to unattainable dreams, sterile and useless dreams, so different from true and great human ambitions, and causing us to go through life without enjoying the simplicity of so many wonders.
Scripture expresses this graphically by showing us the prophet Elijah learning to discover God, not in the storm, nor in the hail, nor in the strong winds, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but in “a gentle breeze,” the most ordinary and common thing, where no one would expect it. Christ thanks and rewards those who give a glass of water to the thirsty.
The simple man savors, has a palate for tasting the flavor of things, enjoys giving thanks—giving thanks is also a privilege of the intelligent—and receiving that small reward of life that is the simplicity of a smile.
Juan Ramón Jiménez expresses it in poetic prose: «What a smile the little girl had! With her tearful joy, she offered me two carefully chosen oranges. I took them gratefully and gave one to the weak little donkey as sweet consolation, and the other to Platero as a golden reward.».
It is not nostalgia for other times gone by, better times, childhood times. Simplicity is the gateway to understanding a future that begins at every moment. That future which the simple-minded embrace with open arms. Sometimes I think that the simple-minded hide a treasure: the eternity of God's love.
Ernesto Juliá (ernesto.julia@gmail.com) | Previously published in Religion Confidential.
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