My Wabi Sabi life....

Have you ever heard the term Wabi Sabi? No? Until yesterday, neither had I.

I was at the library (since I've decided that owning hundreds of books is overrated when I can pay $12 a year to read as many as I want), browsing and came across the "religion" section. I looked and saw an unnassuming paperbag brown book called 'Wabi Sabi Simple' By Richard R. Powell.

The "simple" part caught my attention, because I am on a simplifying quest, and I picked it up.

It is amazing.

I was never able to explain to others why we choose to live such a pared-down life. I suspect some of my friends think I have low self-esteem because I don't WANT so much of the material as other people. I was never able to explain without coming across as judgemental or extrordinarily odd.

Wabi Sabi is a Japanese lifestyle of minimalism, beauty, simplicity, function, joy, purpose, gratitude, authenticity. It is about being the most authentic you possible. It is about focusing on what is really important and not allowing yourself to be distracted by what the modern world tells you is important.

The quote on the front cover of this book states this (and i love this): "Create beauty. Value imperfection. Live deeply.".

I think I have found a new mantra.