Wabi-Sabi is an ancient Japanese philosophy based on Buddhist teachings. At its very simplest, it represents the aesthetic theory that everything is perfect not despite imperfections, but because of them.

Wabi-Sabi is very loosely translated as “wisdom in natural simplicity”. How this relates to us as human beings has many interesting and varied facets, and is widely dependent on the person being asked.

In dealing with what you perceive as your own imperfections, realize that they are just that – perceptions that may or may not be rooted in truth.

We develop these perceptions from the moment we are born, by looking at how others react to us. But we are rarely taught to look inside ourselves to form our own opinions! Continue reading →

Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a law-enforcement officer, or some other type of authority figure, little kids look up to you and admire you.

Because of that, you have the rare opportunity to help these children in their search to figure out who they are. This comes with a lot of responsibility, but also a lot of pride and satisfaction.

We live in a world of striving too hard for perfection, and trying to obtain the unobtainable, whether it be riches, material possessions, or beauty.

To look at any fashion magazine is to see this unrealistic ideal in action. This affects our children on a visceral level, and so we, as the people they look up to, need to do all we can to make them feel comfortable and confident in exactly who they are. Continue reading →