It Really Is Simple

     So the election has come and gone and I realize I broke my own mindset of keeping things simple. Sometimes you get close to a situation and become blinded to the reality. I met a guy who was running for council in a local ward and was really impressed by him. I agreed to lend a hand knocking on doors and generally helping out in the hopes of him getting elected to council.
     The candidate was about 40 years old with no previous experience in politics running in what amounts to a seniors' community. The opponent was a 76 year old woman who had previously been Mayor in two other areas and had a long track record of political experience. If someone else had explained this to me I would have told them that their guy didn't have a chance because people generally vote for people like them and an older generation in particular is going to put significant value on experience. However being personally involved and being impressed by my candidate's qualifications I let myself believe it wasn't that simple.
     On election night my guy lost by a margin of about two to one. I really believed that the people in the riding would support change and a new voice but in hindsight I complicated something that was simple. It was a great experience and I still think he was an excellent candidate but the loss would have been easier to take if I had properly analyzed the situation beforehand.
     Just another great example of how life really is simple but we insist on making it complicated.