Keep it simple
By arkaf61
@arkaf61 (10881)
Canada
December 29, 2007 2:27pm CST
Ok, so I did say that living is complicated.I think it was in my previous discussion. Well, I lied:)
I shouldn't be. It isn't.
We are the ones who make it so.
Living is basically keeping some simple things is mind:
Respect yourself and others.
Always do your best.
Be fair and kind.
Believe in yourself.
Be open to changes.
Love life.
None of this is complicate and it does simplify many of the choices and options we have to make.
Contrary to what we're made to believe, happiness is different things to different people.
For me it could be as simple as lying down in the sand, listening to the waves crashing and looking at the lonely seagull flying close by.
In a broader sense , being happy for me is having a roof over my head, a jobs that fulfills me, enough money for essentials and a comfortable life, but not that much that I would worry more about it than the important things, good communication with the ones I love and care about, good health, and the chance to keep growing and learning.
To other people happiness can be completely different. But the simpler we make it the easier it is to feel happy.
Society as a whole is certainly being sidetracked as to what it is that make us happy. The distractions are too many to count and result in complicated lives and confusion.
Consumerism is one of such complications. People are made to believe that they will never be happy if they don't have that flashy new expensive car, the new nail polish color, the fastest computer on the universe, the biggest house in the neighborhood.
Nonsense, of course, but people fall for it.
The "me" revolution is leading people to think about themselves above everything without looking at how their actions affect others. If you want it, go for it!
In theory this is not wrong, when it's combined with lack of respect for others it's a disaster: Go for it! Jump over everyone else to get what you want. Lie, cheat if you need. Discredit the ones in your way. Be ruthless.
If the job you want has too much competition find a way to make the others look less suitable for it. If the woman you want is married, disregard the fact please, Go for what you want!
You might end up over your head in debt. You might loose the respect of the people you should care about, you might hurt others in the process but you're there: At the top - whatever the top is for you.
In the end your life is a complicated web that requires super human effort to maintain, and you are still not happy.
No duh! You're going after the wrong things.
Find yourself. Find what really makes you happy. And then be responsible pursuing it.
Be careful that your actions don't hurt others. Do your best with honesty, not deception. Remember to be kind, always. Have the courage to change if you feel you're wrong. Bring the simple pleasures back and enjoy them, instead of spending your energy into achieving what you won't have a chance to enjoy after you have it.
What do you think ? Am I rambling to much or making sense? :)
2 people like this
7 responses
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I think this is a discussion so full of great ideas. Let's just think about doing the things you suggest. Just those first few things. They speak of integrity, that is wholeness. We need to work on being whole persons, not unbalanced, not off center. I think you make lots of sense. Maybe this can be the first page of the operators manual.
2 people like this
@RowenaTheWitch (947)
• Italy
29 Dec 07
You really make sense. Your discussion remembers me of an Anime I've view (Berserk) in which a bad guy has reached the top but thinks that he has build his tower to the top with thousand of corpses. I don't want to reach the top if it means I have to step on people.
It's fair to act smart and try to play your cards the best (make your work seem better than it is it's even funny for me :D) but without hurting other people.
1 person likes this
@RowenaTheWitch (947)
• Italy
1 Jan 08
Right!
It's like a summary of the ten commandments! LOL
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
30 Dec 07
Well Sweetie being kind and respectful and thinking of others always hit me back in the face and it still does so what is the right way as I can not turn the evil way
Everything you say is correct but why does it hit me back in the face even as a child it did that
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
31 Dec 07
OH twin dear, I know, sometimes we do things right and it ends up feeling like we're being punished for it. I guess it's because not every body does it, many people just think of themselves and no matter what we do, it always seems to hit us back.
Maybe in those cases we have to just put some distance between us and them - easier said than done LOL
Big hug to you and Happy New Year
@Fishmomma (11658)
• United States
1 Jan 08
I think there is no question that many people in the United States want things like fast cars, big houses and lots of cash. Most people in my area have more than they really need now. I'll be the first to admit most of my Christmas requests were not things I really had to have now.
I know life would be great with less items; however, think many of us get use to having certain items like microwaves, televisions, cell phone and a computer. They are things I would really miss, but count on them being in my home.
I grew up without electricity, bathroom in my house and running water in the house. These are luxuries that I don't want to give up. I'm willing to pay for them and plan to keep working for them.
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
1 Jan 08
FIshmomma, if those things are important for you, then they are needed and not extras. If they make you life easier and happier, they are necessities and part of the keep it simple idea.
I'm not complaining about having a tv, a computer or a microwave. What I mean is that people all over the world are being convinced that they need to have the bigger last model of everything when that's not true. Just a nice way for us to put more money in their pockets. People are being tricked into buying new things when the ones they have still work perfectly well.The convince the masses that having a computer is not good unless it's the model XYZ58000 when the majority of people will not even use it to half of it's potential... I said computer, I could say anything else, it's always the same idea.
MY keep it simple is not go back living without electricity, or the comforts we have nowadays, it's just about not complicating our life.
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
31 Dec 07
Thank you for putting it more beautifully than I ever could. I hope lotsa people get the message. May they see us living happily and fully, and think; why can't I do that?
And then go do it themselves.
^_^
1 person likes this
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
11 Jan 08
I think I've found someone who writes longer discussions than lordy or anyone else I've ever come across.
Take that as a praise arkaf =)
Made sense to me, i think it's better to avoid certain things or going overboard so simple is a good way of putting it.
~Joey
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
29 Dec 07
KISS principle, Keep It Simple Stupid...is always working.
I like to be fair with myself and be able to look at the mirror with smile.
Life is about Loving, Living and Learning....:)








