In the pursuit of knowledge,
every day something is added.
In the practice of Tao,
Every day something is dropped.
Less and less do you need to force things,
Until finally you arrive at non-action.
When nothing is done,
nothing is left undone.
True mastery can be gained,
by letting things go their own way.
It can’t be gained by interfering. 
The Tao Te Ching

Let it all remain undone—
cease to tend to goats, chickens, horses,
and errant livestock that wanders into the yard.
Take the list of chores,
and put it where the sun don’t shine,
say under the rain gutter,
right before a storm rolls in.
Then forget about it all.
Go back inside and make a cup of tea.
Add milk, honey, and subtract angst.
What’s wrong with this picture?
Why doesn’t it complement The Tao Te Ching?
It is not like the sound of one hand clapping,
nor is it the sound of one horse hoof stomping,
nor one chicken claw scratching,
nor one goat tail wagging.
The extended forecast calls for continued sunshine,
and so the list remains in hand.

Next: 201. 7/24/17: Traveling Shoes