"Simple", the sound of this word is so pleasing, so liberating, isn't it? It removes the clutter, helps us think better and clearer. It even lets us know whether we really need to think at all in some situations. As I have grown in Life, I am happy about one thing, I have learnt the value of keeping things simple when it comes to attainment of happiness and bliss in Life. Creating a company and products which are simple has been an agenda, I won't say I have been entirely successful in it in world's eyes, as for that to happen the key people need to appreciate "Simplicity" and weave it into the DNA of an organisation or product. I am not a great entrepreneur, just a learner!
"Evolution is complex outside, a restart from within is always simpler!"
Now, so many books, articles, lectures, even thesis have been published on these so called ever prevalent and perturbing questions:
How to be happy?
How to find the right path?
Is their a destiny?
How to get enlightened?
How to discover the Buddha?
How to keep everyone happy?
And the never ending list of questions and ever piling stock of knowledge, but to no avail. Apart from some books, I have not been a fan of many authors because they self contradict, many thinkers do. They teach, preach but can never follow and imbibe, so don't inspire. Hypocrisy might be used to describe them, but who are we to judge that. At least they share the right thoughts, we need to understand them in a simple manner. Thats our prerogative.
Lets take a simple Q&A exercise on self. Here, the worldly me is questioning myself and the real me is trying to answer.
Q. I want to be happy in Life, how?
A: Be. Simple.
Get rid of the word relative. Happiness is absolute!
Q. How can I keep everyone happy?
A: You cannot. Simple.
Care for people if you wish to, give, don't expect!
Q. How to get enlightened?
A: Go to the mountains! Meditate! Go to the gurus! Light the bulb!
Just kidding! Don't give such words too much importance. Its simple. Let the mind relax, let it be free of expectations from people, even from yourself, take in the beautiful scenery of nature and life, slow down, take it easy, its not a race. Life is for doing things you love to do, finding time for them and accepting your limitations, super hero is a comic concept! Read it, enjoy it, don't be too serious about it.
Enlightenment is for others, Spiritual Life is a distant oasis in desert of Life! False!
Q. How to be successful?
A: Stop! Please stop! Your definition of success is skewed by your surroundings. And it can engulf many years of your life. Take a step back, define success for yourself, don't get biased by what others do. I am sure it will be simple. Is it? No? Definition of your own success is the biggest success!
Success is an overrated, utterly relative concept!
Q. But I want to earn a lot of money? Keeping things simple may not allow me to do that you moron!
A: Okay mister. Happy complexity! I wish money had all the answers. You go your way, I will go mine. I will earn peace, some money will do. Peace will help me do better things, if they earn me more money, well, I won't mind I say!
Money, concept created by us, screwing us!
Q. I want to be a winner! How to attain that glory?
A: Hmmm, now we are talking. Play a game of cricket, try and win, is that fine? Oh no, what happens if you lose? Depressing thought! I will give you a simple suggestion: Just play the game, enjoy and give it all you have, and you are a winner! Don't go by the Gamification rules that others have set.
Glory is in being yourself, being at peace with yourself, right now!
Well. Thats it from my side for now. If I go any further, I may get trapped by the thought of making this blog post too attractive, too philosophical, a literary work of the great…well I am not one. Sorry to disappoint!
Cheers!
Saurabh
(Thanks to de bono's book on simplicity for some inspiration on this topic, but I must say, the book was a bit too complex!)
