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“A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. “It’s overfull! No more will go in!” the professor blurted. “You are like this cup,” the master replied, “How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup.””

Simple Wallet by Saddleback Leather.

Saddleback has a fantastic line of simple wallets made out of real, tough leather that are built to last. Look at their warranty:

100 Year warranty - If it goes before you do, we’ll fix it or replace it for free. Heck, have your great grandchildren talk to my great grandchildren and we’ll take care of them too. Only for 100 years though.

I like these guys!

Other examples include the Small Wallet and the Credit Card Wallet.

The Principles to Unify Mind and Body | Seidokan Aikido:

Keep One-Point

Calmly let your mind settle at an imaginary point about two inches below the navel.

Controlled Relaxation

Relax your entire body to the point where you are able to maintain complete control of yourself by keeping calmness of mind and body between tenseness and limpness.

Settle Down

Naturally allow the gravitational pull to settle your entire body down to where it should settle.

Let Your Ki Flow

To think positively and be ready for action with a calm and flexible mind without referring to excessive physical strength. A positive attitude toward life.

There’s a difference between sparse and minimalist, for one example here is the Minimalist House, by Shinichi Ogawa & Associates.

This strip design is built on a 18x3M block, with each area logically divided to get the most out of each living space, without feeling claustrophobic. The hot humid climate of Okinawa where the Minimalist House is built was also considered with eaves designed to be controlled to direct just the right amount of sunlight into the space.

I just love the perfect balance and understanding for the need of space, with the most open area for the courtyard, which is enjoyed by the living room, the dining room and the bedroom without any physical separations. Another minimalistic dream home come true.

“One of my most productive days was throwing away 1000 lines of code.”

- Ken Thompson

This is the room I feel the most “at home” in our new house. It bears my fingerprint, and offers peace in the hectic world of freelancing, putting the “home” in “home office”.

As not to break the impromptu theme we have going today, my good friend Aaron Mahnke puts up a slide show of his new home office. Proof that any room could benefit from a websafe color on the walls and a giant ampersand. All kidding aside, I would love to spend my working hours here.