There is sophistication in simplicity. I find that combining the words "sophistication" and "simplicity" in one sentence is striking. It is striking enough when Leonardo da Vinci quoted that Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication most especially when he describes the link between sophistication and simplicity. These are two words with two opposite meanings, yet Leo's goal is to transform the very complex (sophisticated) into something very simple.
Why am I surprised that these two words actually existed in one sentence and find that the meaning that I want to imply is almost the same as most people would perceived it. When I just suddenly searched online about it not knowing if my blog title would actually make sense (or even the content), I was able to grasp and hold on to the thought that simplicity brings out the essentials in life and discarding the things or thoughts that are unimportant.
I thought I am a simple person; simple in a way that I am plain and uncomplicated in the way I dress and even in the way I want my kitchen or wedding gown to look like. And that it's true. But there are things that I complicate such as life, like the way I relate, communicate and deal with people or when I try to complicate my life with more activities and more material wants that are unnecessary. We accumulate a lot of anger and bitterness that's weighing us down or we buy so many expensive things that we don't actually need. And yet we lost awareness that we are affected both internally and externally. I am sure that each one of you can relate as well.
Yet, there's still sophistication in simplicity when we eliminate the excess baggage that we're not supposed to carry. When I try to "design" our kitchen for the house, I want to make sure that it would be a nice one. I am honest to admit that I envy those people who have really, really nice kitchen. Unfortunately, some of them doesn't know how to cook. I'm not sure if I should envy them or pity them. But I thought to myself that I think I deserve a nice one.
With the help of my brother in law, we decided not to have the intricate workmanship and complicated artwork that goes with it. It's plain, clean and simplified. Maybe boring for some people. And that's the beauty of it because it eliminates the superfluous and the perplexity that complicates our life and gives way for the essentials to stand out.
But the first time I saw the kitchen, I wasn't happy with it and I even cried about it. I can't get over it for a few days wondering why I didn't even ask someone to design it completely. At the back of my mind, I don't want to invite people inside because they will definitely make a comment about it. Then we decided to go back to the original plan of having frosted glass for the upper cabinets that made the kitchen looked better and lighter.
In simplicity, there will always be imperfections and I've learned to embrace the little things that are not perfect. And even if I'm no so satisfied with it, God has taught me about contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-7: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it ) and being thankful for what I have. As a matter of fact, John and I didn't pay for the expenses in building this house, instead God used someone to help us with it.
We can only strive for excellence, not perfection and in even in excellence, there will always be flaws that we need to accept. And God is teaching me that every single day of my life.