Wabi Sabi baby!

Wabi-sabi (侘寂^?) represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience. The phrase comes from the two words wabi and sabi. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete"

Wabi Sabi... not to be confused with wasabi (that really hot green stuff at sushi restaurants)

Ok, so it is basically finding beauty in the imperfect. (That's my simple definition) I was reading an article this morning in Womans Day Magazine on wabi sabi and I had a small little light bulb moment on the toilet. Sometimes, that's just where you have your best ones... you know?...Anyway, moving on... I recently turned 30 and have not been too happy about it. I cried for weeks I tell ya! Weeks! I didn't want to leave my 20's. I kept thinking once I hit 30 I would officially be an adult! A real grown up... you know? Why that really bothered me I'm not sure. I pretty much became an adult at 17 when I got married. (In the responsibility sense of it... CERTAINLY not mentally) So you'd have thought it wouldn't have bothered me so badly. Yes, I know... "30 is the new 20" "Women are more sure of themselves in their 30's" "A woman's sex drive is on fire in her 30's" "The people on Friends were in their 30's" Oh phoey! whatever! Yeah, it still bugged me... still is bugging me. I hate when I look in the mirror and see those lines forming on my face that just won't go away anymore. Things changing and moving on my body. My butt is starting to sag. I have a flat butt! How in the world can it sag? But yes, oh yes... somehow it happened! We won't even go into the boobs! (That has a lot to do with breastfeeding 2 kids though) So yeah, I've decided that I'm going to try.... TRY is the key word here mind you. Try to start looking at myself with a Wabi Sabi perspective. Finding beauty in my imperfections! Not just on the outside either! Boy it's going to be hard, but I can do it...

I'm also going to look around my house, and my life and think of things in this Wabi Sabi way.

Sure my house is small, but it's cozy.

I don't live in a great neighborhood, but I'm close to every grocery store, drug store and fastfood chain imaginable! (within 5 minutes!) and I have several really nice neighbors!

My yard looks like crap right now, but the daffodils are blooming!

Every wall and piece of trim in my house needs repainting, but that just gives it character! (yeah right)

My van wants to die out on me every time I stop at a red light or stop sign and the left rear tire keeps losing air, but I can appreciate the fact that it still gets me where I need to go!

My dog keeps using the bathroom in the floor, but I can appreciate the fact that he is sweet, lovable and great with both of the kids!

The carpet is stained, but... I love that dang dog...

My husband has been unemployed for over two months now, but I can appreciate the fact that we have gotten to spend LOTS of quality time together and he will hopefully get some things done around here that need to be done :) Appreciate that we still have our house, our utilities are still on (for now anyway) and that we were approved for food stamps and we won't have to worry about groceries! Praise God!

I may have worry lines on my face, some laugh lines too... :) I might not be able to fit into the jeans that I wore when I was 23, my body is lumpy and bumpy in places that I would rather them be smooth, but I'm still beautiful! At least I know my kids think I am, and that's pretty special...

So remember! Just tell yourself, as I will tell myself "I can do it! 'cause I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me..." (little quote from Daily Affirmations by Stuart Smalley for ya, in case you thought I was going a little overboard there) haha

Wabi Sabi baby!