A year of Sundays: 33rd Sunday 8/17/25 -Simplicity: The Catalyst of Imagination

What a week to feel truly alive—free and prosperous in spirit. Once again, it was my grandchildren who taught me the most profound lessons. Their world is filled with educational toys, electronic gadgets, and a whirlwind of creative and athletic activities. My granddaughter, who seems destined for the Olympics, has a particular passion for rock wall climbing. At just six years old, she's already mastering this challenge.

Last year, her attempts were met with frustration. But this year, something shifted. She approached the wall and climbed it three times to the top before she was content to stop. When she later shared with me that she was "so scared" but did it anyway, a powerful lesson was reinforced in my mind: accomplishment is what happens when resilience meets determination. The fear was there, but she chose to push through it. And while she swore she'll "never do that again" (a claim I highly doubt), her success stands as a testament to that powerful combination.

The second lesson of the week was more of a simple reminder: simplicity is always a winner. I brought home a small pack of accordion-style sticky notes. The moment my three grandchildren saw them, their faces lit up as if it were Christmas morning. These simple paper folds became the most captivating "toys" they had all week. They engaged for hours, creating all sorts of variations and games.

This experience brought to mind the well-known design principle, the KISS acronym, which stands for "Keep It Simple, Stupid." This principle's origins are often traced back to the U.S. Navy and Kelly Johnson, a lead engineer at Lockheed Skunk Works. The idea was that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than complicated. The core tenet is that unnecessary complexity should be avoided, as it only invites greater risk and frustration.

The lesson was crystal clear: simplicity is the catalyst for imagination. In a world full of complex, high-tech distractions, the most basic items can spark the greatest creativity. It's a reminder for all of us that we don't need elaborate tools or extravagant plans to find joy or to create something new. Sometimes, the most powerful ideas and the most fulfilling moments come from the simplest things.