In today's world, we constantly receive messages that urge us to improve ourselves in various aspects of life. We are told we can increase our speed and run a little faster than before.
At work, we can enhance our efficiency in completing presentations and meet expectations more effectively. We are encouraged to seek better evaluations and constructive feedback on our efforts.
Home life, too, seems to have a standard of perfection, with messages prompting us to keep our spaces tidy and aesthetically pleasing. Our wardrobes are suggested to look sharper and more fashionable.
We hear that we should prioritize strengthening our personal finances and getting into better physical shape.
Everywhere we turn, magazine articles teem with tips on how we can elevate our living standards. Advertisements push the narrative of continual improvement, influencing how we view our achievements. Even authority figures, such as bosses, reinforce this pressure.
Popular television characters, often heroic figures depicted in movies and series, set an unrealistic expectation of perfection. These characters exemplify ideals that seem unattainable in ordinary life.
However, reality tells a different story. Life is not flawless; it is filled with imperfections that we cannot ignore. We occasionally shatter a cherished piece of pottery. Our skin develops wrinkles with age, signifying the passage of time.
The oak dining table shows signs of wear, acquiring scratches and revealing the intricate grain of the wood more prominently as it ages.
This creates an imbalance in our lives. On one hand, there are the constant demands we face and the expectations we place upon ourselves to improve. On the other hand, there is the reality of life, full of flaws, including wrinkles, damaged ceramics, and aging furniture.
This imbalance can quickly transform into pressure, creating stress as we strive for an unattainable standard. So how can we counteract this pressure? A solution can be found in Japan, which offers a concept known as wabi-sabi.
What exactly is wabi-sabi? This concept, influenced by Buddhist thought, is challenging to translate directly into other languages. The first part, "wabi," refers to a sense of beauty that can be experienced in solitude or through the unexpected charm that arises from mistakes.
For instance, when we repair broken pottery, we might create something more beautiful than the original item. In Japan, this practice is known as kintsugi, where broken pottery is mended with lacquer mixed with gold, highlighting the beauty in the flaws.
The second part, "sabi," conveys meanings that range from signs of aging to modesty. In essence, it captures the beauty that comes with age and the memories created over time.
It is about celebrating a humble lunch or finding peace in the simple act of watching rain from the kitchen window. This approach encourages us to embrace life as it is, with all its imperfections, and to find joy and beauty in the everyday moments.