I'm a real advocate of living simply and simply living. I think most humans, at heart, are as well. However, the idea of "living simply" has become a more and more complicated process...we're goofy that way.
Henry David Thoreau preached to us to "Simplify, simplify, simplify..." That seems like a great idea. The now ubiquitous "Keep it simple, stupid" has been branded into our brains. So what happened?
We are, as humans, a walking paradox. Talk to anyone and before the conversation is over they will lament about the fact that they would be much happier if their lives were less complicated. Yet, we then turn around and make it MORE complicated. What gives?
It's easy to say that we want to scale back, sit back, and give back all the stress that comes with our frantic lives. But giving things up is not easy for us...not our nature. We like to feel in control, even if it's a microscopic bit of control. Giving up that "immersion" into all the craziness makes us think we'll be missing out on things and the world will pass us by...really?
This year I am following Thoreau's other axiom of "living deliberately" by simplification. It's a wonderful world and simplifying most all things makes it all the better. Come join me in the challenge; "living simply and so others may simply live" (Thoreau) is a fine path to follow.
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