Day 238

I was once watching the Dalai Lama speak in a giant auditorium.  I don’t remember the specifics because it was about a thousand degrees in there and I had just eaten.  So, my physical need to take a nap was overtaking my potential path to enlightenment.  But, I do remember him talking a bit about possessions and warning of the dangers of too much attachment to things. Although Buddhism doesn’t advocate deprivation, it does teach that the greatest wealth is contentment.  (I’m probably oversimplifying; feel free to set me straight in the comment section)

Although I’m not Buddhist, His Holiness does have a point.  I would like to think, the Simple Year is moving me down the path to fewer material cravings.

But then I lost my favorite navy blue hoodie.  And all my enlightenment dimmed, because I am MAD about it.

This emotion is quickly followed by more anger, directed at myself for my absurd attachment to that soft-perfect fitting-stylish-garment.  I am stabbing at these keys just thinking about it.  I left it in the aerobics room on a Tuesday and by the time I remembered it on Wednesday, it was gone.  It might be gone forever, even after repeatedly pestering the front desk staff to check lost and found one-more-time.

I will also admit to standing outside the door to the gym suspiciously eyeballing everyone’s couture as they enter. This is the point I chastise myself because after all—it’s just a jacket, stop stalking all these innocent people.  Plus, I’m not sure what I would do if I actually saw someone wearing it, perform a citizen’s arrest? I am sure the Dalai Lama would not approve.

But, it matched the pants…

Stop it, Kerry, you’re starting to sound like Gollum…my pretty…or a Kardashian, also pretty. So as you have probably gathered, even after eight months, I’m having a bit of an inner struggle.

Letting go is harder some days than others.