A CLOSER LOOK AT THE WORD SIMPLE

...Starting and ending our day with thoughts of God is indeed a perfect way of staying simple, staying alive!    

Hi there.  This time, let us look at the background of the word simple and be entertained finding out that we do or think in simple terms, in accordance with the etymology of "simple" (oops, that may not be being simple - can't help it; I need to be specific; in any case, the official explanation of the term is: "the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history").  

Simple comes from the Latin term "simplus" ,  which originally referred to a medicine made from one constituent, especially from one plant.  No wonder, when one limits his involvement or preoccupation to a single subject, he is said to be simple.  Or if he derives satisfaction focusing on one activity or one goal. 

 The word simple later developed various meanings including (1)straightforward, easy, uncomplicated, uninvolved, effortless, painless, undemanding, 
elementary, 
(2) plain, basic, or uncomplicated in form, nature, or design; without much decoration or ornamentation, plain, unadorned, undecorated, unembellished, unornamented, unelaborate,basic, unsophisticated,  no frills, classic, understated, uncluttered, restrained, unflashy, 
unshowy

(3)used to emphasize the fundamental and straightforward nature of something, candid, frank, honest, sincere, plain, absolute, unqualified, bald, stark, unadorned, uvarnished, unembellished, the simple truth

I guess many of us find the words applicable to certain things we do, think or say.   I particularly like the derivative words easy, uncomplicated, painless, plain, unadorned,  unflashy and sincere.  Although they refer to the same reference word, each has a specific  imagery that teaches or shows us how to be simple.  The the word "easy" - who wouldn't  want to be easy to get along with?  It exudes an air of openness to things, events or people  who/which are either naturally attractive or repulsive.  If we have that welcoming attitude  towards the unpalatable, it is easier to stay simple...and we grow to be generally more  patient, having that desire for stayin' simple, stayin' alive.