I keep these little plastic Monopoly houses on my desk. I look at them regularly. They remind me that most of the things I have and want are, ultimately, trinkets.

That doesn’t mean they are unimportant.

But they aren’t ultimately important.

One day I will die, and I won’t be taking any of my stuff with me. My kids will keep a few sentimental reminders, and the rest will be sold or donated.

And until then?

Until then, do my friends care about the stuff I have?

Do they care about the size of my house, the kind of car I drive, or the brand of clothes I wear?

No, they do not.

We are friends because we like who we are, not what we have.

(* Having said that, I am currently looking for a friend with a Ferrari. If you qualify, please leave your name and contact info in the comments below!)

This is why all these things are trinkets.

They are temporary pieces that I get to play with for a while before they go back in the box for someone else.

But I forget that and start to care about stuff…

Which is why I need the house as a reminder.

To help me adjust my expectations and desires.

They are trinkets.