Tuesday 29 June 2010
Saturday 26 June 2010
Wabi-sabi Isn’t That Green Stuff On Your Sushi!
How Wabi-Sabi are you, reader?
Ok so firstly what the dickens do I mean by Wabi Sabi?
Wabi Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic that I encountered a while ago but that over the last couple of weeks has crept into my thinking space.
Wabi stems from the root wa, which refers to harmony, peace, tranquillity, and balance. Wabi was originally associated with sadness and loneliness however today it means living a simple and modest lifestyle; one which is peaceful, humble and in tune with nature. Someone who is perfectly themselves and doesn’t crave to be anything else would be described as wabi.Sabi by itself means "the bloom of time." Sabi originally meant ‘to be desolate’. Although today undertones of abandonment cling to the word it is associated with the more neutral ‘growing old’. The natural progression of time, it's the understanding that beauty is fleeting, transitory, and the ability to enjoy objects which are aged, fading or weathered. It is also, of course, much more and far deeper than that, but this definition is a start
To live a wabi sabi life means being true to ourselves and happy with whomever we are. Trusting our intuition, making time for and enjoying what is most important to us in life. It is valuing natural simplicity rather than manufactured, contrived perfection or being weighed down by the huge pressure of material concerns. Being Wabi Sabi is about slowing down, being patient and serene and loving people and things the way they are. As we go though life we get older, as a believer in an omnipotent creator then I have to also accept that this is not a design flaw. (Nb. When I initially started typing that sentence I wrote grow through life rather than go…somehow my typo seems more apt.)
In contrast to the Greek ideals of perfect order and harmony which permeate our Western culture, living wabi-sabi is about seeing beauty in imperfection and accepting life’s transience; 'nothing lasts, nothing is finished and nothing is perfect'. This is something I struggle with a lot and for the last couple of days I’ve been meditating on the theme of:
‘By the standards of the world I’m imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete and that’s ok’
It is remarkably freeing, although saying it doesn’t necessarily mean I’ve fully accepted it in my heart of hearts.
The philosopher Plato, in his theory of forms, wrote ‘Only the idea of something is perfect’. If we accept that nothing is perfect then imperfections and making mistakes become part of the fun of being creative and allowing change to flow into our lives which in turn allows the space, time and freedom to live in the moment and enjoy and engage with being creative.
Well this entry seems to have turned into a mini lecture, oops. I feel like I should be asking ‘any questions?’ but I don’t feel at all qualified to answer them if I did. That’s another thing I’ve noticed about wabi sabi People seem to shy away from explaining it, I don’t blame them I’ve read countless books and websites that claim to offer an insight and I wouldn’t profess to completely understanding it either, and some of those explanations that do exist are a bit esoteric for my little brain. I guess the conclusion I’ve come to is that while I’m not going to become entirely ‘wabi-sabi’ there are elements of the view I’d like to adapt, adopt or try to adhere to a bit more in my day to day adventures.
Ok so firstly what the dickens do I mean by Wabi Sabi?
Wabi Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic that I encountered a while ago but that over the last couple of weeks has crept into my thinking space.
Wabi stems from the root wa, which refers to harmony, peace, tranquillity, and balance. Wabi was originally associated with sadness and loneliness however today it means living a simple and modest lifestyle; one which is peaceful, humble and in tune with nature. Someone who is perfectly themselves and doesn’t crave to be anything else would be described as wabi.Sabi by itself means "the bloom of time." Sabi originally meant ‘to be desolate’. Although today undertones of abandonment cling to the word it is associated with the more neutral ‘growing old’. The natural progression of time, it's the understanding that beauty is fleeting, transitory, and the ability to enjoy objects which are aged, fading or weathered. It is also, of course, much more and far deeper than that, but this definition is a start
To live a wabi sabi life means being true to ourselves and happy with whomever we are. Trusting our intuition, making time for and enjoying what is most important to us in life. It is valuing natural simplicity rather than manufactured, contrived perfection or being weighed down by the huge pressure of material concerns. Being Wabi Sabi is about slowing down, being patient and serene and loving people and things the way they are. As we go though life we get older, as a believer in an omnipotent creator then I have to also accept that this is not a design flaw. (Nb. When I initially started typing that sentence I wrote grow through life rather than go…somehow my typo seems more apt.)
In contrast to the Greek ideals of perfect order and harmony which permeate our Western culture, living wabi-sabi is about seeing beauty in imperfection and accepting life’s transience; 'nothing lasts, nothing is finished and nothing is perfect'. This is something I struggle with a lot and for the last couple of days I’ve been meditating on the theme of:
‘By the standards of the world I’m imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete and that’s ok’
It is remarkably freeing, although saying it doesn’t necessarily mean I’ve fully accepted it in my heart of hearts.
The philosopher Plato, in his theory of forms, wrote ‘Only the idea of something is perfect’. If we accept that nothing is perfect then imperfections and making mistakes become part of the fun of being creative and allowing change to flow into our lives which in turn allows the space, time and freedom to live in the moment and enjoy and engage with being creative.
Well this entry seems to have turned into a mini lecture, oops. I feel like I should be asking ‘any questions?’ but I don’t feel at all qualified to answer them if I did. That’s another thing I’ve noticed about wabi sabi People seem to shy away from explaining it, I don’t blame them I’ve read countless books and websites that claim to offer an insight and I wouldn’t profess to completely understanding it either, and some of those explanations that do exist are a bit esoteric for my little brain. I guess the conclusion I’ve come to is that while I’m not going to become entirely ‘wabi-sabi’ there are elements of the view I’d like to adapt, adopt or try to adhere to a bit more in my day to day adventures.
New Music Alert
I had never heard of Kerri Arrista before she stopped by my blog for a visit. She left a comment and I am so glad she did. Does that make me sound like a creepy stalker reader? I hope not let me just explain. When I headed over to her blog I discovered she’s a super talented singer/songwriter. I just spent some time checking out her music and it is incredible so thought I’d share it with you reader:
Thursday 24 June 2010
Things I Love Thursday
It’s Thursday…
Here are some things I’m loving lately:
Lunch with my fellow youth worker (lots of inspiring ideas and planning over a delicious lunch), being able to walk down by the canal ( three cheers for restoration and regeneration), passing butterflies on my walk who fluttered gently into the air as I passed, gin & tonic lollipops, dreams featuring characters from my favourite TV shows, helpful librarians (or to give them their proper title ‘angels of the books’), Doctor Hoot & ‘The Most Badass Alphabet Ever’
How about you reader, what about the world is making you squee today?
Here are some things I’m loving lately:
Lunch with my fellow youth worker (lots of inspiring ideas and planning over a delicious lunch), being able to walk down by the canal ( three cheers for restoration and regeneration), passing butterflies on my walk who fluttered gently into the air as I passed, gin & tonic lollipops, dreams featuring characters from my favourite TV shows, helpful librarians (or to give them their proper title ‘angels of the books’), Doctor Hoot & ‘The Most Badass Alphabet Ever’
How about you reader, what about the world is making you squee today?
Tuesday 22 June 2010
Thoughtful Tuesday
He is a man of sense who does not grieve for what he has not, but rejoices in what he has,
-Epictetus.
-Epictetus.
Thursday 17 June 2010
Things I Love Thursday
Bridesmaid dress fittings (wearing a pretty dress and not feeling like a moose ftw), Flowers popping up, Sunshine, Chinese food, Planning days out, the Trustworthiness of Beards, television finales (CSI:NY, CSI & Glee), Cutisms from little man aka my nephew (my current favourite is ‘if there is a fire you need to get out, stay out and call for an ice cream van’), Would you hug a porcupine?
What are you loving this week reader?
What are you loving this week reader?
Tuesday 15 June 2010
Thoughtful Tuesday
Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind and the third is to be kind.
-Henry James
-Henry James
Thursday 10 June 2010
Things I Love Thursday
Happy Thursday reader! I’m finding it pretty hard to stay positive this week so I’m glad to have Things I Love Thursday to focus solely on the things that are making me smile at the moment.
Successful Messy church (a safe afternoon of craft, games, food and most importantly lots of families having fun together), mystery packages that turn out to be unbirthday presents (have I mentioned I am supremely lucky to have the best friends?), Smiling at babies in the waiting room at the doctors', save the words (Even better with your speakers turned on), Plans with my uni friends at the weekend (not looking forward to the 7 hour train journey tomorrow though),
Hope you have a bundle of things to share that have been fantastic in your life this week reader
Successful Messy church (a safe afternoon of craft, games, food and most importantly lots of families having fun together), mystery packages that turn out to be unbirthday presents (have I mentioned I am supremely lucky to have the best friends?), Smiling at babies in the waiting room at the doctors', save the words (Even better with your speakers turned on), Plans with my uni friends at the weekend (not looking forward to the 7 hour train journey tomorrow though),
Hope you have a bundle of things to share that have been fantastic in your life this week reader
Thursday 3 June 2010
Things I love Thursday
Here are some things making me swoon lately!
Someone on my street has a black and white kitten (am trying REALLY hard not to kidnap it); going to sleep before midnight and not waking up to feeling like a zombie; A friend in New Zealand sending me this link to Sooshi because he saw it and thought I’d be amused; On the subject of websites …So much pun.com- especially this; Being reminded that every day I can choose to be happy. Fabulous! Laughing long and loud and clear, sing it with me-
What’s making you beam today?
Someone on my street has a black and white kitten (am trying REALLY hard not to kidnap it); going to sleep before midnight and not waking up to feeling like a zombie; A friend in New Zealand sending me this link to Sooshi because he saw it and thought I’d be amused; On the subject of websites …So much pun.com- especially this; Being reminded that every day I can choose to be happy. Fabulous! Laughing long and loud and clear, sing it with me-
What’s making you beam today?
Wednesday 2 June 2010
Photos or it didn't happen...
I love taking photos, although I wouldn’t say I’m very good at it, and am always thinking I need to take more. In addition I have a bit of a soft spot for forced Perspective photography. I often find myself effortlessly entertained by photos in which people are shrunk or grown (blame years spent reading Gulliver's Travels and Alice in Wonderland). This evening I’ve been re-inspired to start carrying my camera again by this article ‘35 Splendid Examples of Forced Perspective Photography’
My personal favourites:
I need Time
Children steal huge island from Firth of Forth.....
schnipp
My personal favourites:
I need Time
Children steal huge island from Firth of Forth.....
schnipp
Tuesday 1 June 2010
Thoughtful Tuesday
The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.
-Ivy Baker Priest
-Ivy Baker Priest
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