Wabi Sabi- Day 4

 As we delve further into the ideas of Wabi Sabi one thing to consider is the impermanence of beauty. This can easily be found in nature as we watch the leaves change from green to bright red as winter approaches. Of course, in just a matter of weeks those leaves have turned brown, and have fallen to the ground. 

If in our hurry we failed to notice then we have to wait until the next year to experience them again. Sometimes we may have to wait several years before the right combination of elements produces the brightest of reds on those Red Oak trees. 

Impending is the word that describes the inevitable fading of that beauty. Rather than anticipate it with sadness, we should embrace the here and now. Just like the few weeks that my lone Redbud tree blooms I look forward each year to seeing those first blossoms. 

As we define each word, Wabi meaning “the beauty found in simplicity,” and Sabi being “beauty that emerges with the passage of time,” we can begin to grasp how profound this teaching is, and how it can truly enhance our own lives. 

It is important to not lose sight of the idea of, “This meeting,this time only” The reality is that this very moment will never ever be fully replicated. If we are unaware then we have missed out on what that moment had to offer. 

Wabi Sabi - Day 3

 

What Wabi Sabi actually does is “gives you permission to be yourself.”  As simple as this might sound really knowing who you are is not as easy as it sounds. We have been influenced by so many outside forces that it’s not uncommon to lose sight of who we really are. 

Keaton states, “It (Wabi Sabi) encourages you to do your best, but not make yourself ill in pursuit of an unattainable goal at perfection.”

What has helped me over the years to better understand myself are the words of author Gretchen Rubin, “You can choose what you do, but not what you like to do.” These words have given me permission to stop trying to enjoy the things that I really don’t. 

In the process of releasing the need for perfection you can slow down, and just enjoy your life. 

Because we can find beauty in almost anything we no longer have to travel to the far corners of the world chasing that next elusive high. Now that’s not to say that a trip to Ruidiso, New Mexico shouldn’t be on your list of travel spots. Getting an opportunity to experience life from a different perspective is always good for the soul. 

Wabi Sabi- Day 2

According to Beth Kempton, author of Wabi Sabi, “Wabi Sabi is an acceptance and appreciation of the impermanent, imperfection, and incomplete nature of everything.”

 In so many ways this goes against everything my culture has taught me. Striving for excellence, avoiding mistakes, hitting the mark have all been voices in the back of my head. 

It’s one thing to accept the imperfections as part of life, but to actually appreciate them. How is this even possible? I’ve always strived and prefer order in my life. 

Interestingly Wabi Sabi does not just address the “things” in our lives, but includes ourself in its philosophy. It teaches us to let go of that elusive and impossible goal of perfection. It leads us toward accepting who we are just as we are. 

Considering the number of self-help books that line my shelves this seems quite foreign to my western ears. 

The simplicity of Wabi Sabi is to look for the beauty in the ordinary-the every day. It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of our days that we forget to look, and miss out on what’s right before our eyes. 

In other words as Kempton reminds us, “Less head, more heart.”

Wabi Sabi- Day 1

 According to Google the definition of wabi-sabi is a “Japanese aesthetic and world view that emphasizes finding beauty in imperfection, impermanence or simplicity.” 

In May I began reading a book by Beth Kempton entitled Wabi Sabi. I’ve actually been in no hurry to finish it, and have savored it in the mornings as I’ve sat quietly by myself on the back porch. 

I really enjoyed the unseasonably cool summer we had  this summer, and am missing the delightful hummingbirds who came each morning to feed.

I’ve taken notes along the way, and have decided to record some of the wisdom I’ve gleaned through a series I’ll be posting 

Over the last ten years or so I’ve become quite fascinated by the Japanese culture. Japan has always held a special place in my heart because it is the place of my conception. Could it be possible that I have somehow formed a connection with a place I’ve never really seen? 

As I reread the definition I know for a fact that I was intrigued by the Voluntary Simplicity movement of the nineties, and have struggled with my own imperfections over the years. Finding beauty in imperfection seems to go against my Western sensibilities. But I am drawn toward the idea of wabi sabi, and look forward to sharing with you what I’ve learned. 

Problem Solved

 As I was in the kitchen today while babysitting my three-year-old grandson, I could tell that he had become frustrated with something he was doing in the playroom. 

One of his favorite things to do is play with the collection of tractors and trucks that belong to him and his older brother. He really does a great job of playing independently, and I enjoy listening to him while he’s playing. 

After a moment or two of frustration, he began to cry. My first instinct, of course, was to run back to help him. But, instead, I thought about how if you never experience frustration you never have the opportunity to figure things out on your own. 

It was then that I heard him say, “Oh, yah I can make it!” I knew how happy he must have felt in that moment. Me wanting to rush in to fix things would have actually been counter productive, because he would never have had the chance to figure it out by himself. 

I really enjoy watching this little boy become more confident each day in what he is capable of doing. I give his parents all the credit for raising independent, competent boys. 

Out of the Mouths of Babes

 

My youngest grandson just turned three this summer. His little personality is really shining through, and he always keeps me laughing.

One of his favorite words is “actually.” He’s quite cute when he’s in the middle of a sentence and he throws in the word “actually.”

He does a remarkable Greta Thunberg, with an identical rendition of “How dare you.”

The other day as he was choosing a dum dum sucker he said, “Mimi I picked a green one. This one says guacamole!”

Later that day my daughter called to relay some information I didn’t want him to hear. She popped off about me having the speaker on, and I countered with how was I supposed to know what she was calling about when I answered the phone. 

He immediately ran up and admonished me, “Mimi, don’t frustrate my mommy!” He definitely jumped to her defense. Brittany and I both got a good laugh out of that one. 

His favorite movie is Pure Country, and the other day he told me he wanted to play the guitar with George Strait. Playing the guitar is another one of his favorite things to do, and he’s “actually” pretty good!

I sure love this little boy!

Autumn Bucket List

 The official start of fall is September 22 with the autumn equinox, however September 3rd, Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer and beginning of what are called the “ber” months. You know those months that end in ber. 

I thought I’d make a fall bucket list kind of how I did for summer. Although, not everything was accomplished on the summer list, it was fun getting to check them off. 

I’ve recently begun researching seasonal living, and plan on writing a series on my findings later on. However, what I have learned so far is being more observant, and embracing the changing seasons is what is important. 

Just yesterday in talking with a neighbor he pointed out how the sunset actually moves across the sky during the fall. I do know that we have some pretty spectacular sunsets around here!

☑️Decorate house for fall

Take down hummingbird feeder

Begin making elderberry

Make a healthy apple snack

Pumpkin spice candle

Pumpkin spice soap

Pumpkin Patch

Spiced cider

Fall Festival 

☑️Chili

Soup

Fall photos

Open windows

Scenic drive

Bonfire

Buy new socks

Apple dipping snack

Observe the sunset each evening