For something to be truly wonderful, or brilliant, or amazing, or affective, we - as humans - seem to think it thus, must be complicated. As a young aspiring writer, I easily dismissed the best writing advice I was ever given: "If you want to be a writer, sit down and write."

Surely, it couldn’t be that simple. But actually, it was. By writing and writing -- I discovered that fiction and poetry flow better from me hand written in ink on notebook paper. Essays and non-fiction pieces come together better on the computer. As I kept up the activity of writing, I discovered my strengths, weaknesses, the things that come naturally, and the things that don’t. By writing and writing, I became a practiced writer, a more polished writer, and thus, a more published writer.

(I still wish I were a better artist, but I never take time to practice, because I don’t believe I can sit down and play with paints and colors and call it "art." Surely, it can’t be that simple...)

In the same manner, when we offer a gift and receive thanks, or when we are given a compliment, so often we are quick to note, "Aw shucks, it was nothing," or "You think I look good in this ole’ thing? I’ve had it in the closet for years."

For some reason, (marketing, media, etc.) we have been trained to think that to be worthwhile, to be worthy, something has to be "Amazing!" Or, "NEW!!!" We’ve been trained to ‘need’ more. ‘Need’ better. ‘Need’ the best. And the best of course is the newest, the most advanced, the latest upgrade or discovery... Isn’t it?

Home made chicken soup has been medically proven to help fight off the common cold, but no one has been able to determine why. Chicken soup and Vitamin C (in my house, orange juice), mentholated salve and rest are, in my opinion, valid treatments for the common cold. It was good enough for previous generations, and works pretty good for us.

But, no. It couldn’t be that simple, could it?

Want to avoid catching the cold or flu? Wash your hands every time you think about it. It is the most effective way to make sure the "bug" going around doesn’t bug you. It’s true. It’s that simple.

In a time of year when we sit and make promises to improve our lives and our relationships, our health and our homes, we tend to think that these "resolutions" must also, be complicated. And yet, any resolution you could make is as simple as one of two of the marketing catch phrases of our day: "Just Do It," and/or "Just Say No."

Want to start a new habit? Just do it. It takes 21 consecutive days of repeating an action before it becomes a habit. Do it for 21 days, and you’re good to go. Want to break a habit (smoking, eating, compulsive behaviors)? The typical craving lasts 10 minutes. Just say no to the bad, for ten minutes. Try saying yes instead, to something good. At the end of ten minutes, you will likely have forgotten your craving.

Want to spend more time with loved ones? Then get away from ‘time sponges’ like: television, computers, excessive running back and forth, video games, cell phones, pods and berries and whatever other "social substitutes" you have in your life. Just say No.

Want to have more money? A penny saved is a penny earned. How simple is that? Turn off light switches, unplug appliances not in use. Get rid of unneccesary services. Make biscuits from scratch. Get a thermos for those coffees, teas and flavored/filtered waters - that you make yourself at home. It seems the whole world for decades has been focused on how to MAKE more money. But the key to having money - no matter how much you make - is to SPEND less. Pennies saved.

Want to feel better? Eat better. Want to get organized? Then dispose of all you don’t need, use, want, or take care of. Want to laugh? Love? Give yourself permission to play, to trust.

Sure, there are miracle products out there that promise to make these tasks easier - even almost do it for you. But they come with directions and disclaimers and must be learned, used, cleaned, maintained, stored when not in use, repaired, and remembered.

It doesn’t have to be that complicated. We just don’t want it to be that simple. We don’t want to admit that we have been unable to achieve, through lack of discipline, dedication or management, something that comes down to one of two simple points: we either just didn’t/couldn’t do it, or didn’t/couldn’t say no. We want it to be complicated, because if we fail, it’s because it was a challenge, it was difficult, it "just wasn’t that simple."

But, it is. It IS that simple. Art is art. If I want to splatter bold colors across a canvas and cover it with glitter and sand -- it IS art. It may be ugly, but is art.

If you want to buy complicated products to help you achieve your resolution goals, you can, but it is up to you in the end, and you have two choices: Just Do It, or Just Say No.

It may seem daunting, accepting responsibility for your own successes, failures, weaknesses, strengths. But, in turn, this realization can also be comforting, because it means changes in your life are possible. It is within your power.

We can have better lives, better families, communities, by keeping things simple. If a task seems huge, overwhelming, or daunting -- break it down into simple segments. And then, tackle each piece.

I’ve been trying to simplify my life for... oh, about twelve years. Each year I make simple improvements -- baby steps. It takes practice, just like writing, or art, or anything else you want to perfect or polish. Do I ‘need’ fourteen magazine subscriptions that I don’t have time to read? (No.) Do I ‘need’ 35 sweaters to store and keep moth free each summer? (No.) No I need almost 40 pair of shoes? (AbsoLUTEly.)

Do I need to keep trying to prove myself to certain people? (No.) Do I need to ‘keep up with the Joneses’? (No.) Do I need more distractions from primary goals? (No.) Do I need the latest berry or the best pod? (No, neither.)

Whatever resolutions you have made, try to keep them simple. For example, my goal to exercise more is simple, and the two ways I plan to do it - walk the dog more and work out regularly with a friend - are simple ways to achieve my goal.

A goal for a healthier diet could be accomplished by giving up soda pop or drinking more water, eating more veggies, less meat. Just take little steps, simple changes. You can make more simple improvements next year.

If you want to improve a relationship, try saying, "I love you" or, "I appreciate you" more often. You’ll be amazed at the difference such a simple thing can make.

Try not to get caught up in the complicated. Live, love, laugh. It IS that simple, if we let it be. Happiness isn’t a complicated thing. It starts with learning to appreciate the simple points in life.