Getting down to simple

The world feels and behaves increasingly like a frantically mad, busy, chaotic place.

We are told that we should appreciate the choices that are available to us, but choice has become our constant mental tormentor.

Too much noise, too much talking; 'too much' is the accepted mantra.

Our only method of defence against it, is to add to it; to also have a say, to also try and sound full of knowledge, to also shield ourselves from the world behind a wall of busy-ness.

“If it is a ten-minute speech it takes me all of two weeks to prepare it; if it is a half-hour speech it takes me a week; if I can talk as long as I want to it requires no preparation at all. I am ready now.” - Woodrow Wilson.

Research has shown that when people are presented with too much choice they struggle to settle on a decision. The optimum number of alternatives to choose from, say scientists who study this kind of stuff, is three.

The true mark of craftsmanship is simplicity.

Adding to the busy is lazy; it takes a true act of defiance to spend our time instead on breaking through to the simple.