Simple isn't stupid (Repost from Livesimpledude archive 2010)

Use of the word simple. Being a teacher and seeing other teachers, I know how easy it is to fall into the trap of labelling people. As the great philosopher Wayne from “Wayne’s World” said “If you label me, you negate me”, it is so easy to say “well that guy is a bit simple”. This implies that the person in question is in some way lacking something. I wonder if maybe it is the person who has the inclination to condescend in such a way (and I am talking about myself as well here) who is perhaps lacking something. I think the important thing that I struggle to remember is that everyone is all they can be. All we are is simply what we are, no more no less and I think that is wonderful. That is not to say we shouldn’t strive to be more than we are but that desire to be more must come from ourselves and not from the judgements of someone else. The whole idea of one person judging someone else comes from them holding someone up against a set of beliefs about life. Beliefs can change or are perhaps even wrong in the first place. You could even say this post is a bit ironic as I am judging those that would seek to judge, Goodness look at me being the subject of my own criticism. I hope this post doesn’t come across as preachy. The things I am writing are reflections on my own way of thinking and being and it anyone else gets a little something from it then that is cool too. Love all the simple people around you because they are amazing like you.