A buddy of mine commented that he felt I was complicated. Boy, I didn't take that as a compliment.
I interpreted "complicated" as "high maintenance" (diamonds, fancy homes/cars/clothes, plastic surgery...) so I disagreed, stating that I just want a simple life, to which he just laughed out loud.
I guess our definitions of what a simple life is vastly different.
He felt that because I happen to enjoy opera (he knows I used to teach it...and he came along with my class on our yearly opera outing), that made me complicated.
He saw simple living as more "back to the land" without things like skiing, symphonies, multiple homes, museums, gourmet cooking.
Whereas I see it as enjoyment of the best humans and nature have to offer and it doesn't necessary have to be expensive.
My definition of simple living includes art, music, inventive cuisine, the world, sports and lots more. It is a life of awareness and inclusion without excess.
Would you classify that under "complicated"?
Surely a simple life strips away all the things we do but we dont need or want, we just do on auto. I dont think opera can come into this category! It doesnt seem like a thing you would do without wanting to. Maybe you are supposed to be living in the little house on the Prairie to suit your friend?
ReplyDeleteCooking, opera and many interests don't signify "complicated" to me.
ReplyDeleteSigns of a complicated life to me include: excessively scheduled (e.g. no free time); rocky personal relationships (hot & cold relationships with friends/family) and having lots of rules (not able to be flexible).
Hi Lizzie!
ReplyDeleteYes, I do believe I ought to be doing just that to qualify! We just laugh and agree to disagree on this one!
Hi Carlos!
I agree whole-heartedly with your comment. Thank you for your insights!
It sounds like a simple life to me, because it's what you want to be doing without a lot of trouble.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting conversation!
ReplyDeleteI think that a simple life is a life with less material clutter, more focus on developing a balanced relationship with nature *and* with ourselves.
I think that your description of fulfillment through taking a deep pleasure in good food, beautiful music, visual arts and history is the definition of living a "rich" life. I do not mean "rich" as swimming in money, but "rich" as in an interesting, thought-inspiring life.
Living a simple life does not have to be bland and uninspiring. I fully believe one can live a simply rich life.
Perhaps that is your aspiration?
I think you should have said what I would say "I can see why you say that. I think most men are very simple." And I wouldn't be meaning THAT as a compliment!
ReplyDeleteMy friend says im a little bit eccentric lol i tend to agree with her,
ReplyDeletebut if everyone was the same it would be a sad thing you need differences in people
andrea
@ bluntmoney -- Thank you, I certainly think so too!
ReplyDelete@ bucolicambition -- You bet it is! My goal is to "test drive" all sorts of things now to see how it feels and fit them in my life, making it part of my life process rather than waiting until I'm completely done with paid work.
@ Retired Syd -- I will pass on your "compliment"! :)
Hi Andrea!
ReplyDeleteI get inspired by people who are passionate about and into all sorts of things.
It makes me stop and think. A lot of the time, I make changes because of it!
This is something I enjoyed ( read in capital letters) going through . You truly have a richly simple life, that I most certainly envy, ha, ha. Joke aside, I am all for your philosophy - if with frugality, you can afford to test drive a lot of things u r passionate about, where are the complications ?? There is nothing more profound than simplicity and a simple life means you find it simple to try and taste as many things as you possibly can get interested in. I am all for carlo's definition of complicated life and your definition of simple life. Keep it up !
ReplyDeleteThank you snigdha!
ReplyDelete