As I scramble to get things ready for the beginning of the spring semester here, the two following Taoist poems from 365 Tao (and the Hives) have helped me keep perspective.

Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people’s approval
and you will be their prisoner.
Make your choice, then step back.
The only path to peace.

Potter at the wheel.
From centering to finished pot,
Form increases as options decrease;
Softness goes to hardness