Thank you Niall for your reflective column, I think like Lynn that we should be grateful with what we have; and then we will feel more free and happy.
I like what Fujita Sensei said, very wise! we don't need more than half a tatami.
Your quote of the poem by Ryokan Taigu reminds me of
"He who would travel happily must travel light." by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
There is a quote by Morihei Ueshiba too "Those who are possessed by nothing possess everything".
I'd like to add the link for Midwinter free download
http://lawica.free.fr/liv/Buchan,%20...0midwinter.pdf