As I started writing this blog on complexity, I suddenly realized it was too complex! I’m starting over.

Sahil Bloom wrote recently on complexity. Here’s some of what he said:

Intelligent people are naturally drawn to sexy, complex answers and solutions. Why? They make you sound interesting.

At a party, when someone asks about latest investments, work projects, or health habits, the most complex, interesting answer always seems to draw the most attention.

If you say you like to move your body and eat 90% whole, unprocessed foods, people quickly move on to the person who is using red light therapy infusion to Benjamin Button themselves back into their teenage years.

I know of a Christian organization that’s apparently doing some good work. According to one of their books, healthy communities are characterized by joy, love, group identity, and a culture of correction that everyone accepts. Those are good characteristics. But the organization uses Hebrew for one of those concepts and couches everything in terms of current theories in neuroscience. Feels complex. Sahil Bloom continues:

But the pull towards complexity is a trap. It can lead you into a lot of bad decisions. Occam’s Razor says that the simplest explanation is often the best one—that simple is beautiful.

If you find yourself drawn to a fancy, complex idea, ask yourself if you’re drawn to it because of its complexity or because of its true underlying merits.

What if the correct answer is just the simplest one?

I keep encouraging Daily Time with God because it incorporates some of the basic disciplines: reading the Bible, meditating, and responding in prayer. Simple. As one pastor said, Insanely Simple.

Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, believed in simple:

Football is two things. It’s blocking and tackling. I don’t care about formations or new offenses or tricks on defense. You block and tackle better than the team you’re playing, you win.

Recently retired Nick Sabin, former coach of the University of Alabama, also believed in simple. More tomorrow.

This one thing I do… – Apostle Paul, Philippians 3.13

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1.8, ESV)