Wabi Sabi- Day 11

 As Wabi Sabi teaches us about the impermanence of life it also reminds us that suffering is included in these imperfections. This is something we don’t like to hear. As much as we may try to avoid or resist suffering there are times when doing so can actually make things worse. 

“Acceptance is about surrendering to the truth of what is happening and then playing an active role in deciding what happens next.”

Sometimes you have to allow yourself time to rest and recover. When I badly sprained my ankle a few years ago I had to accept the fact that it would take months to fully recover. Initially I gave myself time to stay off my ankle before slowly attempting to walk again. 

I remember pushing the cart at the grocery store recalling how easily it was to walk before my accident. Part of the suffering included the pain associated with the injury, but also the restrictions it imposed on my independence. 

I learned to ask for help when needed, and kept a mindset to continue on a little more each day. It also taught me to appreciate the things we often take for granted knowing how quickly they can change. 

Wabi Sabi- Day 10

 If you are feeling overwhelmed the wisdom of Wabi Sabi can give you a fresh perspective.  Begin by accepting your feelings realizing that, “Whatever is possible in the present is limited.” In this moment you can only do so much. 

By accepting this it doesn’t mean that you have given up on the possibilities of the future. Rather, it’s an understanding of your own capacities at the moment. As much as I might want something to be a certain way, either from myself or others, I have to tune into the realities of the situation. Expecting something impossible is counterproductive.

You must allow yourself grace, and give yourself a break when it is needed. Recently, I purchased a little sign that says, “Be kind to yourself.” It reminds me not to be so hard on myself when it comes to the imperfections of human nature.

Rather, look for the joy in the moment. As I write this I’m sitting outside soaking up the sunshine and the cooler temperatures. In the distance I here the sounds of cows, the wind chimes, and the whir of our ornamental windmill.  The feeling of peacefulness, contentment, and dare I say joy surrounds me. 

Kempton concludes, “Rich is the person who is content with what they have…” In other words, the idea of already having everything you need. The wisdom found here is appreciating what we have as a key to contentment. The apostle Paul reminds us that he found contentment in all circumstances.

This may sound easier said than done, but except in the most extreme of circumstances this attitude can be well within our grasp. 

Again according to Kempton, “We just have to accept it, trust it, and embrace it.”

Wabi Sabi- Day 9

Accepting the present is an important premise of Wabi Sabi. Kempton states, “Acceptance is alignment with the truth of the present moment in this present moment, with what is true about your life.”

The lesson being that we cannot control or hold tightly to the status quo. It will always change and will not remain static. We need to enjoy the good in each season of our life, knowing that the hard times will eventually pass. 

As I sit here writing this post I’m enjoying a cool breeze compliments of Mother Nature, and the early September days. While often times in Texas summer extends well into October, we have been given a reprieve this year with an unseasonably cool summer. 

I know, personally that I have no control over any of this, except for my acceptance and choices to spend as much time outdoors as possible. The fresh air, the smell of newly cut grass, and the buzz of the hummingbirds all make for a delightful day. 

I also can’t help, but think about the use of the word alignment. How many people make a regularly scheduled trip to their chiropractor to align their physical body?

Taking the time to align your thoughts with the truth of the changing nature of our world  can certainly result in a more contented life. 

Wabi Sabi encourages us to anchor ourselves in the now whenever stress seems to be taking its toll. Don’t ignore your emotions, and how you are feeling. Rather accept them with the mantra, “Of course, you feel this way.” Allow these emotions to wash away like the ebb and flow of the ocean’s waves. 

Kempton reminds us, “Know that this is just a moment, and soon it will give away to another.”

Wabi Sabi- Day 8

 When it comes to change in the philosophy of Wabi Sabi, there are two ways you can look at it. 

There are those who cling tightly to the status quo fearful of changing anything even when they are not content. Second there are those who use change as a way of escaping a difficult situation. 

I remember changing grade levels as a teacher always looking for something better, when in reality I really wanted to change careers. Although, there was satisfaction in teaching I always felt it was not actually my calling. Sadly, fear always held me back, and making those “safe” grade level changes helped me make it to the end of a thirty- one years of teaching. 

Kempton points out in her book, “Stability can make us feel safe, but it is built on the misguided assumption that things won’t change, because everything does.”

Accepting things as they are might not actually be beneficial. Time, your most valuable resource, will continue to tick  away whether you choose to do something or nothing at all.

Wabi Sabi teaches us the lesson of accepting and letting go of the past, and embracing the present. 

“Your life is happening right here, and every day is the beginning of the rest of it.”

Don’t make the mistake of beating yourself up for the choices you have already made in the past. At the time you made those choices you could only base them on limited life experiences. Hindsight really is twenty-twenty. Use the knowledge and wisdom you have gained over the years to propel yourself forward, and stop looking at change in a negative light. 

Wabi Sabi- Day 7

 Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing is a Japanese tradition of spending time in nature, particularly in the forest. 

It has been found that spending time among trees can have a calming effect upon the body. There even is the school of thought that forest bathing can be used as a preventative to disease. These interactions help to boost the immune system. ( The technical term has to do with the increase in NK cells or natural killer cells that help fight viruses and cancer.)

What I do know for sure is that when I am spending time surrounded by nature, particularly trees I do feel better; more grounded and at peace. 

Perhaps it is the impermanence of nature, the visible changing of the seasons that allows us to let go of perfection.  Recently we had a hundred year old oak tree on our property implode on itself. The inner core of the tree had been infested by insects, and had rotted away. 

To the unassuming eye everything looked basically just fine, until one day it fell to the ground with a loud thud. It has made me more in tune to the other two oaks that rest upon our property, and remind me not to take their presence for granted. 

          Kempton reminds us, “Wabi Sabi teaches us that dynamic transience is the natural state of things.”

Because of this we cannot waste time holding on to the past or even present when change is inevitable.  Rather we should savor it and hold it in our hand gently like a butterfly ready to take flight. 

Wabi Sabi- Day 6

Impermanence is an important part of Wabi Sabi. This is found in two ways. First is the idea of something no longer being. This is seen in the changes of the seasons. 

The other idea has more to do with transience. In other words, the anticipation of something that will soon be gone. I think we see this in the lives of our children as they grow older. 

Having an appreciation for the impermanence of life can make us more aware of the here and now. When we realize that today will never come again we may not be so quick to live our life on autopilot.

“With the fall of a single leaf we know autumn is here.” This Japanese proverb alerts us to the imminence of change in the world. This awareness of the seasons helps us to be more in tune with the rhythms of our body. 

As the days become shorter and the weather colder we need to pay attention to our bodies need for rest. In the animal world, for many creatures, this is a time for hibernation. Why shouldn’t we consider a modified version of this?

Because we fail to notice this, and continue to overextend ourselves regardless of the season we may push ourselves to exhaustion, and may struggle to remain healthy. 

Getting enough sunshine during the summer months and curling up on the couch under a blanket with a good book in the winter might be all that we need to feel our best. 

Let the seasons remind you that for every season of effort there is time for rest. Nature knows this instinctively.  We on the other hand in our modern world have used modern technology to keep us moving at the same pace year round. Wabi Sabi helps to remind us to choose differently. 

Wabi Sabi- Day 5

 The Japanese people have a unique relationship with nature. In their minds and heart they look toward nature in this way, “Nature just is, and welcomes you, just as you are.” 

The beauty of nature and the philosophy of Wabi Sabi brings to light “that everything is impermanent, imperfect, and incomplete. 

In our western sensibilities it’s easy to continually pursue elusive perfection, always coming up short. As we connect with these teachings of Wabi Sabi we can feel “unconditionally accepted.”

Spending time in nature refreshes our soul, and reminds us of the miracles right before our eyes. Watch the beauty and order of nature, yet at the same time the death and decay that happens in the natural world. 

“By momentarily lifting us out of the fog of to-do lists, chores, and overwhelming tasks, Wabi Sabi holds a mirror to life’s magnificence -and in that mirror, we get a glimpse of ourselves.”

Simply, “The flowers keep blooming, whether or not you make a mistake.”