My day 16 river birch tree photo in my 30-day project. Photo layered with watercolor texture
Life is both imperfect and transient. It is also filled with wondrous beauty because it is imperfect and transient. This time of year reminds me of the
Wabi-Sabi of Life.
Though I would love to slow it’s turning, the circle of seasons turns whether I want it to or not. As surely as summer follows spring, autumn follows summer. And the signs of autumn are becoming more apparent every day.
The Japanese see the seasons as signposts, visible reminders of our own natural rhythms.
In modern life, these often get disrupted, as we extend our days with strong artificial light, interrupt our sensitive biorhytms with blue lights from our electronic devices and push ourselves to be highly productive just because it’s another weekday. We push on, regardless of whether our body is trying to tell us it’s time to hibernate, or get outside for some summer sunshine – and then we wonder why we get sick.
― Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life
From cooler temperatures, to colorful leaves showing up, to many birds flocking to my bird feeders lately, the signs of impending autumn are everywhere.
The farmer’s market is now filled with late season crops including lots of peppers, tomatoes, and melons. I am savoring each moment of this in-between time. It’s definitely not summer anymore but it’s not quite autumn either.
Though I would like to accept the turning of the seasons, I find that I’m pretty imperfect in my acceptance. In some ways the transience of the seasons makes me value these days more. But I am constantly working to keep from dreading or worrying about the cold days to come. I’d like to cling to these early fall days and push away winter if I could.
Zen pretty much comes down to three things — everything changes; everything is connected; pay attention.
― Jane Hirshfield
Can I instead simply dwell in this wabi-sabi life moment with equilibrium and grace? I am grateful to live here in this state of 4 definite seasons. And because the cold season is a part of the beauty and wholeness of life here in Minnesota. I can appreciate the cold white winters much more when I remember how hot it’s been in other parts of our country and the world all summer long.
Wabi sabi teaches us to be content with less in a way that feels like more. Less stuff, more soul. Less hustle, more ease. Less chaos, more calm. Less mass consumption and more unique creation. Less complexity, more clarity. Less judgment, more forgiveness. Less resistence, more resilience. Less bravado, more truth. Less control, more surrender. Less head, more heart.”
― Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life
Wishing you much joy and gratitude as you contemplate your wabi-sabi life.
May you walk in beauty.
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