This week Loy told me something…
“I am the proud owner of nothing.”
Since Loy’s a rabbit, she doesn’t speak often. So when she does, I pay attention to what she says. But this was strange to me. When she asked me if I was the proud owner of nothing too, of course I said I wasn’t. I own many things.
I thought this might be one of her freaky minimalist things. Minimalism is one thing, but nothing? That’s taking it a bit far! But she reassured me that this wasn’t what she meant and that what she’s talking about is applicable for everyone.
Still, I felt a twinge of shame, thinking about all the unneccessary stuff I own. I told her this, but she said I shouldn’t be ashamed of owning things. She reminded me that she owned things as well, like her pair of glasses, and then explained what she meant…
Since talking to her, I’ve decided that I am the proud owner of nothing as well! Here’s what she said…
How Is Loy The Proud Owner Of Nothing?
She told me about a game she noticed that humans play…the “Mine Game.” The rules are simple:
- For any given thing, one person is allowed to call it “mine.”
- The person who can call the most things “mine” wins.
It’s a brilliant game, right?! Everyone can play. No matter how intelligent, young or old, woman or man. You can even play with people who don’t speak your language. The problem is that nobody wins. And when someone does best another, you don’t re-deal out the Monopoly money evenly, or put all your Chess pieces back to the starting line, you just move on, one person feeling worse, another person feeling superior, neither making a connection or genuine happiness.
One of the conventions is that as we play the Mine Game, we start taking pride in what we can call “mine.”
There are two types of pride: One is based on status and praise…it’s a vanity. The other is based on an understanding and respect of your own worth and goodness and the worth and goodness of others.
Maybe the way you play it is different, but the way I’ve always played and seen the game played, Mine Game’s pride is vain pride.
Well as it turns out, despite being shy, rabbits are very proud in general, and Loy reassured me that she was a very proud bunny.
She told me she is proud of her abilities.
She isn’t the best at hopping, but she’s killer on the Linux command line, makes amazing peanut-sauce-stir-fry-kale, and climbs trees like a squirrel [she snuck up to a branch and took the photograph of her friend, Prou, you can see above].
She’s also proud of who she is.
She takes care of her body and mind. And she has learned to realize her own value as a rabbit and a part of the Earth.
But more than that, she told me she is proud of her friends.
She takes pride in her friend’s abilities and successes, but most of all in her kindness toward them and their kindness toward her.
After we wiped some pathetic tears from our eyes, I began to understand that when she said that she was the proud owner of nothing, she didn’t mean she wasn’t proud or that she owned nothing.
She meant that she was proud of other things…what she does, who she is, and the connections she makes with others.
The stuff? Incidental.
Are you the proud owner of nothing?
I recently decided that I am. What about you?
] chloe [
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{ 24 comments }
I think the rabbit is my zen master. I have…. lots of stuff
hehe. She’s a good one to learn from. I’m learning from her every day!
Loy is pretty darn brilliant. I’ve decided I’m proud of no-thing too. Life is so much bigger than things, isn’t it? But sometimes we have to move that stuff out of the way before we can see how big and full it really is.
Isn’t she? hehe.
Hurray for pride-less ownership!
That’s one insightful rabbit you have. I think it’s very wise to put our value in ourselves and our friends, rather than in possessions. Personally, I don’t think BMW’s are that exciting anyway.
Thanks Jonathan. I’ll tell her you said so : )
Yeah. I had a BMW once…but well…I lived in Germany. They’re cheap and easy to come by there. heh.
Hi Chloe and Loy,
To answer the question: my intention is to be the proud owner of nothing. Every now and then I catch a hidden thought or feeling about materialistic pride but I’m getting there.
Loy has a lot of wisdom to share with us humans. Thanks for giving her a voice Chloe
Manal – I think we have a lot to gain from giving things up. Loy’s way ahead of me in many ways…I think height is all I’ve got on her…but I’m trying to catch up!
Wow… I love this. I recently decided that I too am the proud owner of nothing. Recently like, you know, 45 seconds ago. Thanks!
Sarita Li
Heh. That’s awesome Sarita!! It’s still something I’m learning. Thanks for reading ^_^
I just wanted to let you know that I absolutely love your blog so very, very much~
I’ve been reading a lot about minimalism these recent months, and so much has been inspiring me along this path, but your blog in particular has been a beacon of light. I realized that I’d never commented and told you that, so I wanted to today. Thank you so very, very much~ 
Oh my word. That’s soooo sweet to hear, Sarah! I really appreciate it!
Minimalism has completely transformed the path my life’s taking. It’s no religion, but it’s something that’s been deeply affecting me, and I think that many [not all] people could benefit from it.
You probably already know of them if you’ve been reading around, but you might like Tammy Strobel’s Rowdy Kittens, Everett Bogue’s Far Beyond the Stars, and Leo Babauta’s Zen Habits as well…there are many beautiful people out there contributing to this community.
I’m glad you commented ; ) feel free to leave a word whenever you like!
Hi Chloe and Loy,
I learned about you from RowdyKittens — love what you two are doing here:)
We have many rabbits who come to eat the grass in our yard and I often talk with them about life…. They are wise, kind, and have a nice sense of humor…
Chloe’s nice, but most of the post-ideas are mine. She’s actually kindof a dork. I don’t think she minds me saying though.
It’s good that you’re living in a place that’s kind enough that rabbits feel safe to visit. Most rabbits are easily put off by even slight inhospitality, so you must be a lovely person.
Thank you so much Kat! I really appreciate it. It’s good to hear that people are responding to our writing. [Despite what Loy thinks, I DO come up with many of the posts...ok...some. Well, I at least proof-read them all.] I hope you stick around!
I think cats and rabbits have so much to teach us. It seems like Poohbear or you might have something to share about simplicity yourself…if either of you ever wanted to write something to post here, I’d love to chat : )
i somehow found this entry especially moving-in particular the part about pride in our abilities and who we are. our own self worth- it’s something so obvious, yet overlooked.
many thanks loy.
You’re welcome! Thank you for reading and leaving a note for us.
What a great post. I am the owner of nothing. My mother (who lives with me) doesn’t understand my “It’s just stuff” philosophy. I just found your blog thanks to Joshua Becker and I’m hooked. By the way, I’m a minimalist organizer. When I help people organize the first thing I do is show them how to sort everything (keep, give away, toss). I really take them through the exercise of “Do I need this and why.” I also take them through the exercise of learning to get off of mailing lists, etc.
It’s so true it’s just stuff! I know it, yet I’m still learning it.
It’s good to have new readers! Don’t take offense at the anti-organizing article ; ) it sounds like you’re doing good work! I like your reappropriated use of the word “sort.” [let's sort! i.e. get rid of it] hehe
I hope you stick around – thanks for the note, Deb!
Loy, I am honored that you took the time to reply personally. I know how busy you must be coming up with all the ideas for blog posts.
I watched one of the rabbits who visit us eat a long stemmed flower yesterday. How lovely to see her reaching up for it — I think many people do not know how graceful and artful rabbits are. And when the light is behind them, their ears light up in an orange glow — breathtakingly beautiful.
One needs so little when nature provides so much…
Chloe, the Feline Zen Master and I would love to chat with you about writing something. The new edition that Findhorn Press is publishing of Choosing to Be goes to press next week, so we are busily writing articles for the PR people.
I am so fortunate that Tammy Stobel at RowdyKittens.com is helping me with the new website for this new edition. It should be up late next week, so as soon as it is operational let’s chat about cross breeding, er, posting…
We are all learning. I don’t think we ever have it down pat. Don’t worry. I understand the anti-organizing thing a whole lot. One of the things I have learned is though is that once you have done some major “sorting
” by organizing what is left you can actually see what you have. that leads to more sorting and hopefully less buying. I also try to help people see there are more uses for things than just the one they bought it for. Looking forward to keeping up with your blog. Love Loy and your unique take on things.
To put it simply… “To Have or To Be” – Eric Fromm … enjoying the good posts & comments!
Ah yeah. I read one of Fromm’s books, but I don’t really remember that much about it beside enjoying it. I think it was The Art of Being, but not sure. Maybe I’ll check him out again : )