Simplicity - it is a bit complicated

'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.' Goes a popular saying. It really is. If you see simple people, they have a class and a style that is difficult to match.

In our day to day life and especially in public life a great premium is put on 'being simple'. All leaders and wannabe leaders like to put the 'simplicity tag' on themselves to enhance their acceptance among the public. 'So and so is a simple fellow.' is something we often hear when someone is praising the fellow in question.

But, what is simplicity? What does it mean to be simple? 

According to many people, being simple means not having any external symbols of wealth and affluence. They think that wearing simple clothes, eating simple food and living in simple surroundings is simplicity. These things may be a part of being simple but they do not in themselves define simplicity. That brings us back to the question, what is simplicity?

I think we really miss the whole point about simplicity when we associate it with a person's external being - clothes, possessions and lifestyle. Simplicity is more of an inside job. Being simple according to me simply boils down to 'How simple are you to understand as a person?'

In other words, 'Are you your authentic self?' or 'Do you remain true to your inner self?'. If your answer to these questions is 'Yes' then you are a simple person. 

It is also about self acceptance. If you have accepted yourself as you are and have no hesitation living like your true self, you are a simple person. When you do not accept yourself and try to be something or someone else, you are not a simple person. So, you can have the simplest clothes, eat simplest food and live in the most humble dwellings and still be a big show off. On the other hand you can have the most expensive possessions and live a five star life and still be a simple person. It is all about being your authentic self.       

Simply put, simplicity is being yourself and that can sometimes be a tall order.

Children are simple because they have not yet learnt the ways of the world. So, simplicity also means 'Is your inner child still alive and active?' This is because as children we are our true and authentic self  all the time.

Simplicity is indeed the ultimate sophistication. Because being simple means being the way the universe wants you to be. Simple, isn't it?