Stupid Simplicity Doctrine

I used to think I knew a lot, but over the years I began to realize I actually knew very little.

At first, this realization seemed terrible, because I’d studied a lot of stuff and lived many years and yet I didn’t know much.

But it turned out to be a blessing, because, as I realized that I didn’t know much, the world became more simple and straightforward. 

What’s more, the deep things I thought I knew back in the day I now realize were mostly a bunch of horseshit. 

The world is not deep or complicated. The world is simple and straightforward even though we shroud it in false complexities. 

This is most true when we know who we are because we can embrace reality over the fantasies or appearances we cling to when we are pretending to know things we don’t.

Stupid Simplicity Doctrine

I decided to write this out to make it clear in my head and as a reminder if I ever lose touch with myself or begin to again think deeply about things.

I call this Stupid Simplicity Doctrine and it has four elements:

1. The universe is simple & straightforward.

2. This is especially true when we know who we are.

3. Complexity is mostly horseshit.

4. If you drop an apple, it falls to the ground. 

I find that anything can be broken down into four elements & stated simply in a few words.

I stole this concept from the Ancient Greeks who broke the physical universe down into four elements.

1. Earth

2. Air

3. Fire &

4. Water

They did a great job.

I suppose if I was a chemist, I might need a longer list of physical elements, but I am not a chemist.

Four Elements of Health

My focus is usually health and so this was the first thing to which I applied Stupid Simplicity Doctrine.

These are the four elements of health:

1. Eat Real Food

2. Move Your Body

3. Prioritize Sleep & Rest

4. Love Your People & Let Yourself Be Loved

That’s about it. 

Sure, there are details, and you can go as deep into the weeds as you want, but if you use these elements as a compass, you will usually find your way.