For some reason, being sophisticated has become a goal of modern society. Somehow, if one doesn’t enjoy opera or appreciate fine wine, they haven’t “arrived.” There’s this notion that sophistication is a hallowed value. In reality however, this is furthest from the truth.
I would argue that sophistication is in fact ruining lives every day. Sophistication makes a person feel less confident and causes them to second guess every choice they make.
It’s unsophisticated to eat what you enjoy, it’s unsophisticated to wear clothes you feel comfortable in. (Just like it’s unsophisticated to end a sentence with a preposition.) And sophistication ruins relationships because it’s unsophisticated to let your guard down and really be open with another person.
Marriage? Belief in G-d? Those are the epitome of unsophistication! It’s much more sophisticated to be single; it’s so much more sophisticated to doubt.
A sophisticated person won’t give you a straight answer, they won’t tell you what they think; they’ll tell you what you want to hear. I wonder if sophisticated people even have their own ideas, or if they only form them after they’ve seen the idea expressed in a NY Times editorial? They say that a sophisticated person could tell you to go to hell in such a way that you’d be looking forward to the trip.
In 1977, Apple advertised it’s first PC with the tagline, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” - and although I think Apple itself has become an icon of sophistication - there’s a lot of truth to that statement.
Simplicity is allowing yourself to live, love and laugh freely - without concern for how your actions may be misunderstood. Simplicity clears away the clutter in your life and allows you to bask in the sunshine. Simplicity encourages you, it makes you feel worthwhile and needed. And when you treat others with simplicity, it makes them feel that way too.
Simplicity is attractive, it’s the best way to make friends and create relationships. And simplicity is the key to making a marriage work. And you know what? Simplicity is what G-d wants from us too.
So please, keep it simple. Because after all, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.