No, it's not an amazing new Asian cuisine...not a character from the Star Wars film series...and not the name of the latest trend in minimalist home decor! Wabi-sabi is a philosophy, a way of looking at the world rooted in Japanese culture and traditions. This world view, with its origins in Buddhist teaching, is centered on an appreciation for the beauty to be found in transience, imperfection, and simplicity. I first learned about wabi-sabi as a participant in the Ongoing Creative Retreat that I wrote about a few weeks ago. One of the classes, taught by Galia Alena, introduced us to the concept of wabi-sabi as a way of looking, not just seeing, of being mindful of the transient beauty in the most mundane aspects of our journeys. It was one of those "a-ha" moments for me, as mindful just happens to be my inspiration word for 2017.  As a part of the class, Galia encouraged us to take our cameras or sketchbooks and just take a walk. And along the way, to capture moments in time that caught our eye. While doing just that, I realized that this is something I have done quite often, just because I enjoy the solitude outdoors wherever I happen to be...and like most of us, I always have my trusty iPhone with me. When my husband would wonder what I was doing all that time, I would simply reply, "Wandering and walking", or words to that effect.  Whether you call it "wabi-sabi" or just "wander walking", take some time this week to observe the world around you...not just the breath-taking sunrise and sunset...and not only the majestic view from a vacation mountaintop...but the tiny glimpses of wonder and beauty in your own backyard. And if you do, please share a photo on Instagram #creativity_crusader. I'd love to share a glimpse into your world! Comments are closed.
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