Simple, But Useful

I’ll begin by providing the starting point for my own thoughts tonight. I say that because I’m not feeling particularly “clever” or creative at the moment. No catchy opening. No interesting analogy to use as a base for a profound lesson. Just a straightforward thought, but also a crucially personal one that grabbed me by surprise this evening. That’s it. That’s all.

So, here we go…

As part of my recent decision to devote 10,000 hours of research and study to the subject of development aid and poverty alleviation, I have devised a three-pronged approach: (1) Specific materials covering economic considerations pertinent to development and poverty alleviation; (2) More general books about the history of the African continent and the various countries thereof (an immense topic in and of itself given that Africa is 54 distinct countries); and (3) books that fall under the theme of inspiration (more along the lines of memoirs, biographies, etc. but still focused on Africa). As part of a combined emphasis covering items 2 and 3, I am currently reading the 2001 book by Polish writer and journalist Ryszard Kapuściński, “The Shadow of the Sun.” The book is essentially a collection of some of his experiences during almost 30 years spent in Africa from the late-1950s to the mid-1990s. (On a related note, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the book. It is a MAGNIFICENT read.)

On page 161 of my copy, he is recounting his time visiting a village in one of the remote areas of Uganda. In that chapter, he describes a local home in which the kitchen consists of nothing more than “a hole in the ground surrounded on three sides by clay walls, and in it lie three blackened stones arranged in a triangle.” He goes on to write: “You place the pot on top of them, and light a wood fire beneath. It is the simplest of appliances, invented during neolithic times but still useful.” Down at the bottom of that same page, I wrote in all capital letters: SIMPLE, BUT USEFUL.

After finishing the chapter, I went back to the phrase and spent some time meditating on that scene/description from Kapuściński and those words I wrote at the bottom of the page. (Now, I am trying to record it as a blog for my own future reference 🙂.)

SIMPLE, BUT USEFUL.

What a grand approach to life! One that I certainly need to seriously consider and apply in my own journey. Far too often my life is comprised of things that are far from “useful, but simple.” Extravagant. Expensive. Even eccentric at times. But more times than not, they are largely useless. Sure, they have some personal, subjective value. They might even serve an actual purpose on certain, isolated occasions. But they are the devices, trinkets, and toys that largely define the life of one living amidst comfort and convenience. They are excess. They are luxuries. They are “nice to have.” But certainly not necessary. And it is very hard to call them “useful” when they spend most of their time sitting on a shelf or outside in the shed. Just stuff. So much of it.

Beyond things themselves, I think there is also a broader and more important application here. How much energy and time do I waste on “useless” things like worry, fear, anger, etc.? So much effort invested on things that don’t add any real or lasting value to my life. Much like the mountain of things I have amassed during my 60 years, I have a lot of needless emotional and spiritual baggage that I continually carry around with me through this life. The constant struggle for perfection. The desire to impress others. A hunger for accolades, applause, and admiration. The need to be recognized and celebrated. A fear of rejection and a desperate longing for acceptance. The relentless worry over what others might think, say, or do. Frustrations and stress about so many things I can neither control nor change. On and on and on and on and on and… I think you get the point. The list seems endless at times.

SIMPLE, BUT USEFUL.

I think I need to start a season in which I simplify and “clean house.” Both literally and figuratively. Both physically and spiritually. Get rid of all the excess junk that just weighs me down and holds me back, especially all those things that don’t fit the characterization of “simple, but useful.” Maybe not a New Year’s resolution. But definitely a new goal and sense of direction. Is it simple? Is it useful? If not, why am I holding on to it? Let. It. Go.

“Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…” ~ Hebrews 12:1 (English Revised Version)