Do you ever get overwhelmed with the demands on your time?
When we feel our grip is slipping, we can take a moment to gently shift our perspective on the imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete parts of our businesses and 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. We cultivate clarity of mind to see our current situation as it is in order to be happier and more peaceful. Ultimately our honesty with the present eliminates obstacles and helps us build on our successes. We open 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.
I hope you weren’t expecting something brilliant this week.
Because it’s likely not happening here today.
This week has been really great. I mean really, really great. And yet there are lots of balls that have been tossed in the air that require me to catch them at some point.
“At some point” is the key part of that sentence.
None of the curve balls that have been pitched my way are current. It’s all in the future.
Here’s my Wabi Sabi List ‘o Future Overwhelm…
Things-I-Have-No-Control-Over-But-I-Am-Still-Thinking-About
- Where will we go next? My husband put in his paperwork, but, never one to be an open and shut case, there is a good chance he will deploy to the middle east out of this job. The big questions for me, IF that happens are: can Clara and I stay in Rome, since we’re settled here? If we have to move, where do we go? Oregon? Seattle? Colorado? California? Hawaii?
- Once I start thinking about where we will go next, THEN I start feeling weepy and grief-stricken about leaving another place I love. Again, even though WE ARE HERE, NOW.
- Also, come to find out, my Mom is struggling. Really struggling with her addictions. It’s such an old story and it makes me so sad, and not to get all heavy, but I start thinking about how she is really going to die if she somehow can’t pull it together.
- I feel quite grateful that my business is chugging right along and all of that feels good, but then I start to worry that during the move (uh, whenever that might be), what is going to happen to my business? Will I be able to maintain continuity and momentum?
What could possibly be perfect about all of this?
Big. Deep. Breath.
What pops out at me about this whole ball of wax is two things:
1. It’s all in the future, as I mentioned, and it’s about CONTROL. Or my perceived lack-thereof (which I know isn’t true, btw).
2. The feelings that I’ve had about moving and my Mom are HUGE. Which indicates to me that there’s old stuff in there that needs to be cleaned out and let go of so I can effectively deal with the now.
For me, it feels like an enormous gift (and honestly, a relief) to recognize those two things. It’s an even bigger blessing that I feel more than capable enough to face it all with grace and openness.
And that is wabi sabi enough, for today. I love company, if you’d like to join in.
[Note: If you are curious about my strategy, here it is. First up is lots of yoga and, lots of emotional mindfulness to release the old stuff. I will continue to focus on being here, now. Breath. Eat. Laugh. Love. Enjoy. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Self-coaching and some work with my own coach is definitely in order. Letting go of my ideas about control is going to be freeing and ultimately make whatever happens easier to handle with more inherent wisdom.]
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{ 2 comments }
In reading this, I feel a lessening of my own tenseness related to overwhelm. Though I empathize deeply with your struggle, I am also relieved that it is not just me that has similar discomforts and challenges. Deep breathing and acknowledgment have been the two keys to my ability to stay sane and grounded. Oh, and let’s not forget exercise. What a huge stress reliever that is. Thanks, Nona, for your help and insight and your willingness to share.
No doubt, Lauren, exercise is such a great way to stay grounded. And a big yes to acknowledgment and breathing. Ahhhh.
One of the biggest reasons I keep on with wabi sabi Wednesday is to highlight that no one is perfect and the human condition can be challenging. And it’s all an opportunity to wake up and change – either our minds or our actions. And it’s great news. Even when it doesn’t feel like it in the moment.
xoxo.