A ritual.
When we are overwhelmed with the demands on our time. When we feel our grip is slipping, we can take a moment to gently, little by little, shift our perspective on the imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete parts of our lives.
In Japanese tradition, wabi sabi is a concept typically applied to objects. Wabi sabi celebrates, paradoxically, the imperfection in objects, as being innately perfect and beautiful.
In business – and in life – it’s about shifting our perspective: polishing the mirror of our minds and seeing ourselves more clearly to lead happier, more successful lives. Appreciating chaos and unpredictability as great teachers, which opens us to the creative possibilities available in each moment. Even when the kids are sick, the inbox is overflowing, and the deadlines are pressing – wabi sabi is just a breath away.
Each week, on Wednesday, we make a some space to practice stepping back and looking at some part of our beautiful, crazy life that is making us, well, crazy. We take a compassionate look at the friction and how we might find the perfection and beauty in the middle of the mess.
So, what about you?
At parties, my strategy is to ask a good question and get people talking so I can relax and listen. The hard part for me is always when someone says to me, after a nice long stretch of talking,
“So, Nona, what about you? What do you ___________?”
And I was thinking this morning that Wabi Sabi is a concept that resonates with a lot of us. We feel it – and it touches us, so, today, I’m asking you. Because I find that articulation brings things to life. When we can define why something is important, it becomes ours.
What does Wabi Sabi mean to you, in your life, today?
To warm things up, I’ll share my thoughts (briefly) – then, I would love to hear from YOU.
- Applying wabi sabi to my life means I’m always growing. That every challenge and stress in my life is an opportunity for me to wake up and let go of some behavior, thought, action, or habit that doesn’t serve me.
- Living in a wabi sabi way is paradoxical. I am learning to relax into things as they are and make friends with all parts of my experience, instead of always striving to be more than who I am in this moment. In this fluid, easy acceptance is the springboard of authentic success and growth into the person I want to be.
- Wabi Sabi is not the easy path – but it leads to ease. The more comfortable I am with myself, the more willingness I have to clear out the cobwebs in my mind and question my beliefs and assumptions, the calmer I am. That calm foundation helps me be present, I have more energy for the important stuff, and it makes me better in all areas of my life. To me, that is true ease.
I want to hear from you — what does Wabi Sabi add to your life? What does it mean to YOU to practice wabi sabi? Comment, comment, comment.
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