Sophisticated

Seems life has gotten unnecessarily complicated by us chasing sophistication. It may be time to refocus our focus.

Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

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Transcript

Sophisticated

One of the synonyms for the word “sophisticated” is “complicated,” as in we’ve made something simple, complicated.

Seems we’ve added layers of sophistication, or complication, to our lives that make it difficult for us to get back to true north.

Reminds me of a story  . . .  One weekend, years ago, I went to a beautiful, local park with the express purpose of taking some photographs. I got more than some great pictures; I got a glimpse of uncomplicated life.

There were scores of people having family gatherings and picnics in the park. Kids were flying kites, throwing frisbees, playing tag. The adults were laughing and telling stories and bringing out  food for everyone to eat. It was totally unsophisticated and wonderful to watch.

Then, the next day, I got to watch uncomplicated life play out again. I spent the afternoon with three of my granddaughters at a barbecue at my son and daughter-in-law's home. The girls were living life to its fullest on this very hot day. They were running through the backyard sprinkler and having a blast. It reminded me of being a kid when it was scorching hot in the city. Someone would open up a fire hydrant and we would all run through the spewing water – Heaven on earth.

These two slices of life reminded me how far our sophistication had taken us away from the simple enjoyments of life.

How often have you said, “When I have this, I’ll be happy”? Happiness doesn’t require a “This.” That’s the complicated side of sophistication rearing its ugly head. We’ve convinced ourselves that we need to be more, and have more to enjoy life. It’s just not the case – never was, never will be.

When our goal is sophistication, our lives get complicated because we're chasing that which can’t complete us. Here’s the rub: The piece we miss in that chase is that we're already complete, already enough.

This isn’t an argument against the finer things in life; it’s more of a reminder to focus on our lost focus of life’s simpler things.

Money couldn’t buy what I experienced that weekend. You may argue that life is more complicated than a walk in the park, but, from my perspective, not much more.

All the best,

John