| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | July 2016 | 33
A recent article presented to our Healthy Living group was entitled,
"Life is not Perfect… and that's fine with me." (What the Japanese art
of wabi sabi taught me). Not long ago, I realized something as I stood
in front of the mirror. Even if I squinted hard, even if the light was just
right, even if I was wearing makeup and a flattering outfit, no one was
ever going to think I was young. I saw that the lines around my eyes
didn't disappear when I stopped smiling. I admitted to myself that I am
now the sort of woman who looks perfectly at home in a minivan. And
as I stood there, contemplating the changes that had somehow snuck
up on me, I felt a twinge of sorrow for my lost youth (Where did it go?
Where did it go?) – and then I began to appreciate how wabi-sabi my
face looked.
The concept of wabi sabi is one that I think every woman should have
in her mental bag of tricks, particularly when time's winged chariot is
pulling into the driveway. Wabi sabi is a term that describes the beauty
to be found in imperfection. It originates in Japan, where artists will
often leave subtle fractures in the glaze of a vase or a rough surface on a
bowl as a reminder of the wabi-sabi nature of life. Wabi-sabi recognizes
that all of life is in a constant state of change and that decay is as much
a part of life as growth. This was a gentle reminder that none of us are
without imperfections. The Healthy Living Team reviews many diverse,
interesting and informative presentations at our meetings. Personal
thoughts, experiences and interaction enhance our time together. We are
a support team and strive for changes that make for a healthier lifestyle.
If you have any questions about our program, please call Dave and
Karen Tuvim at 599-4236.
HEALTHY LIVING
