Over the weekend I looked at a book called Ikebana Unbound. I got it a while ago for my birthday – it’s about the traditional way of Japanese art of flower arranging. I feel close to Japanese culture, but I have never tried to do ikebana. It remains something for the future to explore.

Why I brought up the topic though is that ikebana is based on simplicity. One of the lines in the book says ‘what’s not present in the arrangements is as important as what is’.

I found this so powerful. It made me think how we often focus on more, on expansion, on adding (to our work, research, personal lives) but fundamentally it is simplicity that can bring us back to centre and allow us to feel connected to our inside. It is simplicity that helps us to move forwards.

Each of the flower arrangements tells a story. There is a clear focus. Behind the simplicity is deeper meaning and that also allows for greater clarity because focus is on one or few things. You don’t get overwhelmed and stay in the present moment. It feels like these are all useful lessons for our own lives.

Is there something that you can simplify right now?