Simplifying Isn’t Always So Simple

There is a push in certain circles to SIMPLIFY. There are simplify t-shirts, simplify bumper stickers, and simplify billboards. For some reason simplifying doesn’t seem to be enough for those who seem to enjoy it. They need me to simplify too. I think they mean to encourage us to simplify our lives. To get back to the basics. To focus on what’s important. I for one think that simplifying can be a lot of work.

What do they mean by simple? Work the land, plant the seed, grow the wheat, grind the flour, milk the cow, make the cheese, nurture the tomato plant, pick the fruit, make the sauce, start the fire, make the pizza in a stone oven by hand? (And that doesn’t even cover brewing my own beer!) Domino’s and Budweiser exist for a reason. It’s simpler.

My parents have a book on the coffee table at their cabin titled, 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life. The book came in a cute little box with a hole in the front, where the book’s title showed through. I found it ironic that a book about making things simple came in a fancy little box. (Wouldn’t it be simpler to just open the book and start reading, without having to slide it out of a cute little box first?) I’m just sayin'.

I guess simple is in the eye of the beholder.

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