Why fix something that is not broken?
Have you marveled at a mountain range or trees in a forest? Their beauty is enhanced by the variety in size, shapes, and colors. A mountain range is not beautiful because of its symmetry nor is a tree. Their appeal is because of the complex asymmetry in nature – making perfect beauty happen through imperfection. This imperfection is what makes them so interesting and precious. They would lose their charm if they were all the same shape, placed side by side.
In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful. – Alice Walker
Nature showcases the beauty of imperfection in abundance. The bee flies with its imperfect body anyway, even though it does not possess the symmetry of an airplane. Clouds, with their irregular shapes and colors, make the sky even more interesting. They don’t concern themselves about symmetry and perfection. They are perfect in their imperfection.
Wabi Sabi, a Japanese philosophy, loosely translates from Japanese as ‘perfection in imperfection, the unfinished, and the impermanent.’ It is a complex and rich philosophy that can be explored over a lifetime. The overarching concept, though, is about seeing the beauty of imperfection and celebrating it.
Where can you find Wabi Sabi? Everywhere, once you start looking for it. It can be seen in the worn but well-loved pair of boots that you’ve had for years; in an old chair still bearing the imprint of those who once sat on it; in an old ruin, graceful even in decay; in a falling flower; in a tattered book filled with notes and scribbles by those who turned its pages before you did…
“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” – Salvador Dali
Embracing the Wabi Sabi in yourself instead of constantly trying to fix your perceived flaws makes space for more harmony in your life. In a sense, this means uncovering and acknowledging the weird, bizarre parts you discovered in yourself years ago but have tried to bury in the active pursuit of your ‘perfect self.’
Our very DNA – the basis of life and development – is imperfect. It has never reached perfection. Instead, countless variables change and mutate to make living organisms. If you are given an antique jewel, for instance, would you spend time polishing and enhancing it or batter it into something awful and unrecognizable? Many twist themselves into impossible shapes to adhere to rigid systems or wear countless masks in their quest for success. It rarely works. On some level, the fit is not quite right.
Systems are blueprints that provide broad guidance and help you avoid obvious mistakes. You need to customize it carefully to suit your quirks and lifestyle for any progress to happen. What works for one person will not yield the same results for another.
“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” – Judy Garland
Instead of trying to constantly fix yourself based on some system or imitating someone else’s ‘perfect life’, learn to embrace yourself, weird parts and all. No human being is perfect, and the perfect life is a myth. Ignore all the rules of the trade and simply learn to live life as yourself. The first step to authenticity is to fully accept the way you are now. This makes life far more tranquil. You can then work on tweaking the parts you want to enhance and ignore other areas altogether until they weaken and no longer play a major role in who you are. When this happens, you start looking forward to life rather than plodding through it.
“There’s no point in going on if you feel that way. No point at all. You must be filled with expectancy. You must be awash in hope.” – Kate Dicamillo
Embracing Wabi Sabi impacts your life in major ways. It makes you look inward and strengthens you. Your happiness or fulfillment does not depend on the actions of others. You treat your body with deference and eat just enough to nourish it. Your life becomes lighter and easier since it is now based on eliminating the unnecessary rather than accumulating more without purpose. You take more control of your time and use it well. You now know what you need to absorb, what to ignore and when to walk away from needless distractions.
Wabi Sabi helps you create your best possible world. An imperfect world, but a wonderful one that works well for you and continues evolving as you grow. It opens up vast spaces in your life to love and give. This is a kaleidoscopic world that changes and moves in fascinating patterns, creating order out of chaos. It opens up a world that you will treasure and helps you enjoy the process of living.
“Create beauty. Value imperfection. Live deeply.” – Richard R. Powell
