I was visiting Swayambunath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on my final ascent of the stairs to the main temple when I was overwhelmed by rampant consumerism from every side, shopkeepers aggressively trying to sell “spiritual” wares to everyone walking up. It was so overpowering and created so much conflict in an otherwise peaceful environment that I did not continue up to the top, and instead took pictures elsewhere on the temple grounds. This dog’s eyes caught me, and how simply he was enjoying the shade. This photo reminds me of what matters—not stuff, not objects, but life itself.