Wabi-sabi

I watched a episode on TV that mentioned a new word to my vocabulary.

Wabi-Sabi. If you look it up on Wikipedia it states :  Wabi Sabi represents a comprehensive Japanese world  view or esthetic on the acceptance of transience. The Esthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, incomplete".

In the episode I watched, it mentioned Liberty Bell with the crack, Cindy Crawford with her mole and I personally thought of Madonna and her gap smile.  These all are perfect examples of wabi-sabi.  Finding the beauty within despite a minor flaw.

My own philosophy of wabi-sabi is: Acceptance, and acceptance to me means: We should never stop striving to be better, or even perfect, but we acknowledge, accept, embrace and even love our weaknesses.

In my own life, I could never live or enjoy life without personal growth, goals or accomplishments. Striving for perfection is not a bad thing at all! I think that's what this life is about: To learn and be the best person you can be. Our Eternal goal is to become perfect in all aspects. Physical. Emotional. Spiritual.

 Wabi-Sabi is not trying to deflate growth, by accepting flaws and not trying to challenge yourself. it quite the opposite. In fact I think its finding The beauty found in wisdom knowledge and age. It's a silly example, but its like Wine or cheese, the older it gets, the better it tastes. Time is relative. Age means nothing. Just a number.  Learning, falling, progressing even failing are all beautiful things in life.  The beauty in TRUE perfection is the Journey there.

Here are some examples in nature/art/photography

Off balance

I think it adds character!

Though, the media today has corrupted what is considered beautiful and its only getting worse!  You have to fit a certain criteria.  Certain requirements must be met, and if they are not.. you are tossed aside.

Wisdom or knowledge is not considered beneficial to women. You will go farther superficially. You will be more popular. You will have more boyfriends. Girls are being taught that their bodies will make more money then their brains, and how they look is how much they are worth.

Here are some examples:

The Fake Tan, and Heavy make up. 

Unrealistic Body Image

Fake Alterations.

Though, this is not true! You do not have to look like a air brushed (which yes they are) supermodel to be liked  by many and accepted. I think we all understand that no one is perfect. We don't hold that standard for anyone. So why are you holding that standard for yourself?

Accept yourself.

You ARE beautiful and loved the way you ARE right now. God made you that way. Try not to change that.

I am not judging or pointing the finger at ANYONE. I  am also not saying you can't die your hair, wear make up, go tanning, get extensions or any of that! Heaven knows I do!

The point being, you do these things because you *want* to, not because you *have* to. You make yourself beautiful because know your beautiful. You are beautiful on the outside because you are beautiful on the inside.

      ~Happiness is a Choice. Confidence is Beauty. Acceptance is Essential. Wisdom is Empowering~

The biggest lesson I learned this year was Wabi-Sabi. To strive for the Best. To accept my Flaws. Gain Wisdom and Power. Never Judge others or compare myself. Never compete. Forgive and Forget.

                    Wabi-Sabi