Friday, January 4, 2013

::A “simple” Word ::

You know I don’t make resolutions. Never have. I’ve always (that I can remember) just picked a word to be my focus…my go to point throughout the year.

This year…I was going to go with “SIMPLIFY”….but first of all, I personally think it’s been over-done. Then there is the whole ACTION VERB thing it has going on there.  To ‘SIMPLIFY’ would mean I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.  Well…that just sounds too hard. Too much like work. It’s almost like I’m bound by the word “simplify” TO HAVE TO MAKE SOMETHING SIMPLER. LESS COMPLICATED.
…if I’m going to do that, I may as well, “simplify” that word.  That’s as far as I got with it. So I’m JUST going with ‘SIMPLE’.

sim·ple

[sim-puh l] Show IPA adjective, sim·pler, sim·plest, noun.
adjective
1.
easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: a simple matter; simple tools.
2.
not elaborate or artificial; plain: a simple style.
3.
not ornate or luxurious; unadorned: a simple gown.
4.
unaffected; unassuming; modest: a simple manner.
5.
not complicated: a simple design.
For me this definition was perfect… “easy to understand, deal with,use, etc.”
What ever I’m dealing with, planning, cleaning, planting, organizing, moving, painting, feeding, loving, crocheting, creating, selling, typing, mowing, composting,sewing, watching, chasing, drinking, cooking, saving, sparing, peeling, canning, etc; I’m just going to ask myself, “Is this SIMPLE?”  (ie: easy to understand, deal with, plain or ornate, modest unassuming, or complicated? )  Taking a moment to “square it up” or “size it up” before I just head long into it…would just be so simple. I can do that. I’m a planner. So I can definitely sit and ponder if for a while.
I’ll explain.
Being organized would be simple.
Getting organized would be difficult; no to mention to simplify
I know the difference—and still, I would be DOING IT. Simplifying to make it simpler. But…for me, if I tell myself, I need to simplify; first off, I’m admitting a wrong. If I tell myself, I need to simplify—I’m telling myself to “get ready to work and work HARD!”  If I tell myself, I need to simplify, I’m saying , “my life is complicated and out of balance.”  Who wants that?
This way, I can just ask myself “is this simple?” I can just think about something and devise a plan to do it in a simple way…and just do it and be done with it. Simplifying only makes me put things off until it becomes so difficult and so overwhelming… There is no way I’m going to do it. I’m just saying. Not now, not ever.
It sounds like I’m making an excuse to be lazy. That’s not it at all; I just happen to be a procrastinator due to perfectionism. I tend to over plan for the same reason. Perfectionism. Simple isn’t perfect. If it’s not going to be perfect, then why start a project at all?  I’ll just devise a plan to make it perfect (which never EVER HAPPENS) …then it’s just a vicious cycle. I like all the examples given in the definition above.
  • a simple matter, simple tools
  • a simple style
  • a simple gown
  • a simple manner
  • a simple design
No matter how I choose “simple” would be best.
If I could  lower my expectations just a little bit… and learn to live with “SIMPLE”… it would be perfect!

















7 comments:

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

Simply wonderful. You are off to a good start, my wordy counterpart! :)
Liz

Cindy said...

I like that word "simple" I need to lower my expectations, too.
Hugs, Cindy

Angel said...

Now that you reminded me of this practice, I would have to say God already chose my word this year. Forgive.

Leslie said...

I have made simple goals for 2013 ~ makes them much easier to follow. lol.
Have a great sunday.

Claudia said...

I like simple rather than simplify. Easier yet more effective, I think. And who wants an action verb???

xoxo
Claudia

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

I never really make resolutions, but I like the word of the year thing...Simple is a good word.
I too am a perfectionist at times, then other times, not so much.
I'm a procrastinator and a non-planner. That is why my word for the year is PLAN
so far, so good!
gail

dl@frugalhacks.com said...

Pat:
I have been pondering the thoughts in your post for some days and so appreciate how you have expressed the advantage of thinking in terms of "simple" instead of simplify. It has helped me to really focus on working through my own need to find some better ways to accomplish my tasks!