Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires.

Lao-tzu

One sure-fire way to embrace simplicity and not get caught up in the nostalgic things you own is to keep three large energetic dogs roaming in the same space as your stuff. With post-sunset temps in the single digits we haven’t run the dogs much this week. They are retaliating by pulling things from closets and off of tables. So long Outward Bound mug. A few minutes ago Taylor just walked out of the bathroom with a magazine in her mouth (a sight that amused me plenty) and proceeded to begin shredding.

Over the last few years I’ve kind of learned to not freak out at the loss of things I previously couldn’t part with. On the first go-round when the dogs obliterated my high school wrestling headgear and shoes, favorite books, or over-sized Detroit Tigers pillows I was mildly distraught. But now I’m a little better about laughing these off (usually). Today for example I walked in the front door after work to find the below-pictured mug and chunks of plastic on the living room floor. I like that mug. I drink hot chocolate out of it a couple times per week. But what are you going to do? Getting mad/sad doesn’t bring it back. Makes for less stuff to haul around next time we move I suppose.