For a larger version of this picture and comments by andyi, click here.
The photographer, andyi, has written a short essay on having the courage to celebrate your own personal joy, no matter what other people think: “By celebrating your personal joy, you add to the whole of the Universe. I heartily salute this woman…it’s a gesture of great generosity to share that sort of joy with thousands of strangers.”
Dave Schoof, author of Engaging the Disquiet, also inspired this week’s post. In his comment to my last post he wrote, “I actually think it is the things we hold as the ‘imperfections’ in us that make us loveable. When I see someone’s vulnerability, struggle or even suffering, my heart opens.
There is a wonderful expression and practice in Japanese called Wabi-Sabi: the beauty in imperfection.”
(See Tadoa Ando’s discussion for more information about Wabi-Sabi .)
Amen to that, Dave. I feel the same way. I’m guessing it’s not a common reaction, otherwise imperfection wouldn’t be such an issue. But as I see it, that’s not our problem. Our job is to put as much as love, acceptance and compassion as we can into the world. I’m convinced it makes a difference.
If you ever do find yourself feeling unworthy and unlovable, I would suggest looking at the video of Jessica the Hippo, especially the very end, when she gets tucked in at night. It’s one of the most heart-warming videos I have ever seen.
Thanks to Gimundo for introducing me to the video. That is a site worth visiting if you like uplifting stories and videos.
What a great reminder for us to be who God made us to be.
I just encouraged my readers to visit this blog. Keep up the great work!
I think what happens is that when we are rushed, hurried or stressed in our day to day life, we get irritated and annoyed with “imperfections” of others. The slow clerk, the pushy salesman, things like that.
We appreciate the flaws of others more when we see ourselves reflected through them. Thanks for a great article.
Thank you for sharing! I truly love that picture. It’s inspiring and uplifiting to see (and feel) her joy and authenticity..
It’s also confronting to read (because at the same time, I know that it is so very true) that we do live in a world where (displaying) emotions like vulnerability, suffering and struggling are considered imperfections..
I’m completely with you that bringing love, acceptance and compassion into this world will make a difference. No matter how small, it will always be a first step!
I am reading The Purpose Driven Life and I just found out God NEVER made any mistake in creating anyone. As rightly put by Rick Warren, No one is an accident.
Great post Jean. You are wonderful. I don’t think I ever want to miss your posts again.
I think one way to describe maturity is to evolve to accept oneself, including perceived imperfections. There’s a great section of Rhonda Byrne’s book, The Secret, where teacher Lisa Nicholls describes her own process of revelation here.
Let us all be satisfied of what we are. We are all unique but all equal in the eyes of God.
Thanks for inspiring me.
Love & Gratitude,
Tina
Think Simple. Be Decisive.
🙂 Thank you!
Pingback: You see yourself as imperfect? | Motivationals | Changing Lives For Good.
Heya Jean –
Greetings from a fellow monk, hehe! Just kidding – I’ve seen you around at a few places, and just wanted to make contact – can’t believe I just found your blog, it’s really to my own heart. I think self-acceptance, even of our perceived “flaws” are one of the most important milestones one can ever achieve, so thank you for this reminder.
Cheers,
Albert
UrbanMonk.Net
Modern personal development, entwined with ancient spirituality.
Albert,
Thanks for coming by. And that goes for everyone else who wrote!