Clearing Space

Simplify

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

Leonardo da Vinci

I heard on the news the other day that the second-hand stores are overflowing since Marie Kondo's show, “Tidying Up,” began. I must say, her ideas do work. Since her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up was published in 2014, friend after friend has told me of clearing out closets and drawers and hauling more than half their wardrobe to the thrift store. The understanding that we are happier with less “stuff” is gaining ground.

Leonardo da Vinci's art is a classic example—especially his drawings. Just a few clean lines define a body. I think of the smile on the Mona Lisa, his studies of hands and horses and flying machines, the circle drawing of the Vitruvian Man, and the Head of a Young Woman, with just a few strands of hair falling down. Lines and shadows. Intricate, uncomplicated and ultra sophisticated. His quoted sayings are pretty sparse, too. “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.” We have more than a few politicians who could use that counsel. And, “The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.”

Two of my favorite books on simplicity are by Elaine St. James: Simplify Your Life, and Inner Simplicity, published in 1994 and '95 respectively. Her chapter titles, like da Vinci's quotes, are short and to the point. “Move to a Smaller House,” “Take Vacations at Home.” And my favorite, “Ask for Help From the Universe.” My copy of Simplify Your Life is cracked at #61 “Gibb's Oat Bran Muffins.”* In fact, the page falls out. They're that good! Everything underscores the point that “simple is better,” which, of course, folks like the Amish have known forever. The more we have, the more we are enslaved by it. Hopefully the trend is away from over-consumption—and since “Tidying Up” is what's “trending” perhaps we'll soon see a difference.

I agree with da Vinci that simple is ultimately sophisticated. There is nothing quite so elegant, for instance, as “the little black dress.” The great advantage of keeping life simple is that we have more time and energy for things that truly matter—like being with people we love. Clearing the clutter out of our lives somehow also clears the clutter out of our brains. Instead of the constant hunting/gathering, and talk-talk-talking, we can spend time in silent thought, in listening, in communing with ourselves and with the natural world. Good for the body, and good for the soul.

                                                                         In the Spirit,

                                                                            Jane

*“Gibb's Oat Bran Muffins

2 ¼ cups of oat bran

1 tbsp baking powder

¼ cup sugar or maple syrup

2 tbsp chopped almonds

handful of raisins or blueberries

¼ cup shredded coconut (optional)

whites of 2 eggs

2 large overripe bananas

Combine dry ingredients in mixing bowl. Blend other ingredients into puree and mix with dry ingredients. Bake at 450 until tops of muffins are brown (about 15 min.) Makes a dozen muffins. Enjoy! (Elaine St. James, Simplify Your Life, p.156)