Mahadeep Singh Jamwal
In the scientific world of advanced life, which is exploring everything from deep sea to deep sky and from one corner to another corner of every inch of earth, the life has become a battle field of competitions for everything, thus the living has transpired from simple life to an un-understandable complexities of the life. The complexities are further fomented by the incredible waste generated by mindless consumerism. Thus it has become utterly difficult to define the simplicity in real perspective.
Simple life is not a destination; it is an ongoing creative process and is a way to creativity and to explore our own understanding of simplicity. In an understandable way we can say, that simplicity is shaping our life of meaning and purpose, where we stay low, stay quiet, keep it simple, don’t expect too much and enjoy what we have and where there is equality, fairness, honesty and integrity, where we don’t waste our energy to compare our life with others. We judge our life by our own efforts, waken ourselves, watch ourselves, and live joyfully. So we can say that simple life is a life which blooms into itself and gives message to others strongly accepted and appreciated by the society by and large.
Life in its natural course is not complicated but it is we who are complicated. When we stop doing the wrong things and start doing the right things, life is simple. A simple life has different meaning and a different value for every person. It means getting rid of some of life’s complexities, so we can spend more time with people we love and do more of the things we love. Our life has become a dumping ground of all sort of worries and mismanaged acquisitions of unrequited matters of thought and materialistic nature. It is better to get rid of the clutter, and eliminating all but the essential, so that we are left with only those which give us the value. We are required to identify what’s important to us. A multifaceted colorful life may take care of the present but it has no future as this life having weak walls likely to collapse, whereas simple life gives you such a way of life that even if it hurts you, but makes you strong and act as if you’re ok. The simple life is guarded by strong walls, which may shake but they never fall down. We are required to apply some of the standards in our life to make it more care free, valuable having missionary purpose and simple living, such as:
* We should display each page of our life book to the public scrutiny to make people aware of our life story and the comments thereof will become a guiding force for retuning your simple life.
* Letting go is part of moving on to something better and apply it. We will not get the things what we truly deserve, if we remain attached to the things of less value to us. A careful analysis is must to get rid of the things of less value to us.
* Heal your heart, extend your mind and cultivate the habit of possessing things sufficient for your needs and always avoid the things of your greed.
* The best thing we can do is follow our heart. Take risks just do not follow and accept safe and easy choices.
* Everything we go through in life, every high, every low, and everything in between, led to realise the truthiness’ of life. Realising this concept, accepting and adopting in our life are the best way to understand what the simple life is?
* One of the greatest freedoms is simply not caring what everyone else thinks of you. Forget what everyone thinks and wants for you. Freedom from the myth of ‘impressed’ by materialistic world’s possessions is foremost way of a simple life.
* Start focusing on the things we can control and do something about them, as those who complain the most accomplish the least.
* Sometimes we ask questions not to seek answers, but to affirm something our soul knows. Stick to this real philosophy of life.
* When things are hard, and you feel down, look for the small glimmers of hope.
* Don’t let small minds convince you, that your dreams are too big, as it fracture the saying “Cut your coat according to your cloth” and it adds wings to your desires, which is a factor responsible to dominate your inner voice of a simple way of life.
* Do not compare yourself with others as everyone is unique in nature. The comparison always gives rise to complexes of superiority or inferiority and both are disturbing in nature and biggest blots on the simple way of life. When we compare ourselves to someone else, we often end up judging ourselves unfavorably. Instead of measuring yourself against others, compare yourself with past and present selves.
* Self-acceptance is a way for satisfaction and don’t be critical of yourself, it can be hard to find pleasure in your life.
* Control your thoughts they have wings and go wayward. Just do not let them control you and you will have a happy life.
Concluding, as per ‘Henry David Thoreau’, an American author, naturalist, development critic, and philosopher “It is desirable that a man lives in all respects so simply and preparedly, that if an enemy takes the town….. He can walk out of the gate empty-handed and without anxiety”.
