Simplicity: Live simple think high
By JAVAID JAFRI
Simple living and high thinking implies that we must lead a simple life but at the same time our thinking must not be limited. We are not born to impress others. This is to say that we must not restrict our thinking only to the nitty-gritty’s of everyday tasks.
Our life will not get better if we continue to look for ways to impress other people of our society by different means and ways. Surely our life will be fulfilling and satisfied when we focus on ourselves rather than others. Simplicity is a great virtue which one can observe in life as we are rightly advised by the wise elders to believe in simple living and high thinking.
We should observe simplicity in our ways of living like food, behavior, habits and so on. We should also observe simplicity especially in our clothes we should not wear very tight clothes which restrict the movement of our limbs and so on. Smoking, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks which has now taken a form of fashion must be avoided. These couple of activities are most dangerous so must be avoided before it gets too late, we must always think big to bring about positive changes in our lives as well as of those around us.
We must observe simplicity in our speech and manners. And should be always sweet, polite and humble in our talk with every creation of Allah (SWT). We must not boast/pride, nor should we try to bully others. We should never lose our temper whatever the circumstances and conditions are. We should be always honest and straightforward on our dealings. We must have simple life style. There is no need to run after fashion trends which results in enhancing ones expenses. Our expenses must not cross our means and needs. The houses we live in should be simple. There is no need to possess expensive gadgets in our house except those which are mandatory for leading a comfortable tension free life.
The famous Indian actor, Rajnikanth has beautifully defined simplicity in couple of lines while keeping in view present scenario of this global village. “Whether you have a maruti or BMW the roads will remains the same. Whether you travel economy class or business your destination doesn’t change. Whether you have a titan or Rolex the time is the same. There is nothing wrong in dreaming a luxurious life, what needs to be taken care of is not let the need become greed. Because needs can always be met but greed can never be fulfilled.”
We must not think only about ourselves but also about those around, by way of charity and all. “Charity is best when given privately” Al Quran (2:271). When we stop living an artificial life trying to impress others and turn towards a simple life we grow close to our roots. And definitely we will get close to our family members and the love showered by them brings immense joy. When we stop looking for more and more things to gratify ourselves and spend time with our self we ultimately begin to recognize who we truly are. It is reported from the sixth Imam, Imam JaffarSadiq (a.s) that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that “Charity in secret, quiets the wrath of God and takes away one’s sin as the water puts the fire and keeps away seventy kinds of calamities.”
We all agree that most of the things we want are meant to impress our neighbors, friends and relatives and so on. This kind of life can never be fulfilling or pleasurable. This is because we are not born to please or impress others and we can never even do so. Whatever we do, people only look for opportunities to find flaws in us. And this leaves us all more dissatisfied.
We try to earn more and more, reach at highest position possible in the society increase our social circle and shop expensive clothes and household items. What for? All this is done to establish a good social standing. Now this is not to say that there is something wrong with being ambitious and making a good living. All this might as well as bring us satisfaction at some level but it also takes away a lot from us. However, in the quest of making it big professionally and earning more and more to quench the undying desires people spend a lot of time at work and neglect their parents, spouse and disturb their personal relationships and all this only leads to stress.
“How strange and foolish is man he loses his health in gaining wealth, and then to regain his health back he wastes his wealth. He ruins his present while worrying about his future, but weeps in the future by recalling his past. He lives as though death shall never come to him, but dies in a way as if he was never born.” Ali (AS)
This does not mean it is wrong to be ambitious and earn money to lead and earn money to lead a comfortable life. There is a hell of difference between living comfortably and having a lavish lifestyle. There are many rich people around the world who lead a simple life and possess high thinking.
They indulge in charity rather than spending lavishly on themselves, which is quite enough way to satisfy their short life and brings peace in their mind This doesn’t mean we have to donate a hefty amount each month, Do whatever little possible we can really help poor and needy people. Charity is mentioned dozens of times in the holy Quran. “Attend to your prayers, give Zakat (prescribed alms) and bow down with those who bow down (2:43)
Simple living high thinking is a common proverb used to highlight the understanding of leading a simple life and having high thinking. Surely if every one of us leads such a life, the world would become a much better place for mankind to survive comfortable as well as tension free life.
Simple living and high thinking go hand in hand. Only those who believe in living a simple life can think high and do great deeds in their life. As we have many live examples in front of us in this contemporary world. One who prefer living lavishly and only think about fulfilling their own desires one after the other and there is no end to it. Such people are so engrossed in gratifying their desires and impressing others by showing off their materialistic possessions that their thinking becomes limited to it. They cannot think high or develop a broad mindset.
On the other hand, people who understand that they must only focus on their needs and not go after every materialistic thing, their heart longs for leading a simple life. They only buy things of need and focus on becoming better human beings by way of their deeds and not by showing off their belongings. They try to help those around them, involve themselves to improve the environment and more importantly spend time with their loved ones.
We all look for happiness outside. Sometimes we try to socialize, go to malls, try different cuisines, do unnecessary shopping and indulge in several such fictitious activities which are really just for fun and nothing more than that. While all these can give us tentative pleasure we wouldn’t find ourselves truly happy if we will not find peace within. To live a simple and fulfilling life there is a simple and easy formula ie “we must focus within rather than others”.
The remembrance of death puts everything into perspective. The things we bicker over, the amount of money in our bank account, our status, entertainment and egos become so insignificant. No matter how much we beautify our face and hair every morning, we will one day sleep in the dirt.
No matter how much we beautify our clothes, we will one day be buried in a small piece of white shroud. No matter how much love being around people, we will one day be buried all alone. Contemplate for a moment, what am I doing here? What is my ultimate goal in this short life? What will happen after I die? What legacy will I leave behind? Remembering death helps us live a life based on the things that really matter, our relationship with Allah and our loved ones.
Surely remembering grave yard transforms one to be selfless and always looking to benefit others, so without shadow of doubt here we came to know simplicity is the real originality! . Living simple is not difficult. It is rather simple we just need to limit our desires, “When desire ends, peace begins”. And let go off the need to impress others.
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