A path is made by walking on it. Chuang Tzu

“Flow with whatever may happen, and let your mind be free: Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.” ― Zhuangzi

Education in Action

We've been working to educate our puppy about the joys of nail trimming. We touch her paws whenever we have a relaxed moment. We take out the nail clippers and make them click a few times and give her a piece of kibble. We repeat this every few days. We also touch the clippers to her paws and give her a treat then put them away. 

Now when I take out the clippers both dogs wag their tails knowing they will be rewarded in this activity. 

Yesterday while I was trimming Romeo's nails Lulu came in to investigate. I gave them both treats and praise. Then I snipped Lulu's dew claws and rewarded her after each. I was able to continue snipping nails on one paw rewarding after each nail. This was a great victory! She began to get squirmy so I stopped. I will resume this process when Romeo needs a touch up on his nails. Perhaps then I can sneak in the trimming of Lulu's right paw.

 “Once upon a time, I dreamed I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was myself. Soon I awakened, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.”
― Zhuangzi, The Butterfly as Companion: Meditations on the First Three Chapters of the Chuang Tzu

Great wisdom is generous; petty wisdom is contentious. Zhuangzi

 “You have only to rest in inaction and things will transform themselves. Smash your form and body, spit out hearing and eyesight, forget you are a thing among other things, and you may join in great unity with the deep and boundless.”

― Zhuangzi, The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu

“The petty thief is imprisoned but the big thief becomes a feudal lord.” ― Zhuangzi, The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” ― Chuang Tzu

“A frog in a well cannot discuss the ocean, because he is limited by the size of his well. A summer insect cannot discuss ice, because it knows only its own season. A narrow-minded scholar cannot discuss the Tao, because he is constrained by his teachings. Now you have come out of your banks and seen the Great Ocean. You now know your own inferiority, so it is now possible to discuss great principles with you.
井蛙不可以語於海者，拘於虛也；夏蟲不可以語於冰者，篤於時也；曲士不可以語於道者，束於教也。今爾出於崖涘，觀於大海，乃知爾醜，爾將可與語大理矣。”
― Zhuangzi, The Way of Chuang Tzu  

The sound of water says what I think. Chuang Tzu

If you can empty your own boat

“If a man crosses a river
and an empty boat collides with his own skiff,
Even though he be bad tempered man
He will not become very angry.
But if he sees a man in the boat,
He will shout at him to steer clear.
If the shout is not heard, he will shout again, and yet again, and begin cursing.
And all because someone is in the boat.
Yet if the boat were empty,
He would not be shouting, and not angry.
If you can empty your own boat
Crossing the river of the world,
No one will oppose you,
No one will seek to harm you”
― Chuang-Tzu

 “To be truly ignorant, be content with your own knowledge.”
― Chuang Tzu

“Forget the years, forget distinctions. Leap into the boundless and make it your home!” ― Chuang Tzu

“Let your heart be at peace.
Watch the turmoil of beings
but contemplate their return.

If you don't realize the source,
you stumble in confusion and sorrow.
When you realize where you come from,
you naturally become tolerant,
disinterested, amused,
kindhearted as a grandmother,
dignified as a king.
Immersed in the wonder of the Tao,
you can deal with whatever life brings you,
And when death comes, you are ready.”
― Chuang Tzu

“Only he who has no use for the empire is fit to be entrusted with it.” ― Zhuangzi, The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu

 “To a mind that is still, the entire universe surrenders.”
― Chuang Tzu

Rewards and punishments are the lowest form of education. Zhuangzi

 Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness.

― Chuang Tzu

The wise man knows that it is better to sit on the banks of a remote mountain stream than to be emperor of the whole world. ― Zhuangzi 

What the Mice are Thinking

We noticed mice poop in our sink. I made sure to wash the dishes before bed. We noticed mice poop on the counters. We bought a humane mouse trap that said be sure to drive three miles from your home before releasing the mouse because otherwise he will know his way back. Okay then! So we placed peanut butter in the trap. The mice must've said to each other, Avoid the peanut butter!! Let's get outta here fast! If they can find their way from miles away they must know about peanut butter. How many of their relatives were victims of laboratory tests? We have not seen a single mouse poop in 3 weeks.