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In Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is surrender to imperfection. Japanese Architect Tadao Ando defines wabi-sabi as the art “of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature, of accepting the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death.” Discover the beauty, the serenity in acceptance of the natural occurrence of life, of mortality. Often dear friend Cheryl reminds of the value of wabi-sabi in living life. Beauty lies in the imperfection.
Years ago at the Dojo training for Nidan, 2nd-degree black belt, with my friend mentor Kyle, I was driven by perfection. Perfection consumed me. Sensei Dan, who had a cold and was wearing his street clothes, sat off the mat and called out Aikido techniques for Kyle and me to practice. I was afraid to make a mistake, because “What if I’m really not good enough?”
While training like a MF’er, I got it: Kyle and Sensei already listened for and saw the greater within me. I had nothing to prove to them or me. Becoming greater than is the freedom to be the authentic me. Who I am and what I do was good enough for Sensei, Kyle, and even me. That made all the difference.
So I only tell stories that turn out well. I passed my Nidan test and my Sandan, 3rd-degree black belt, test 2 years later. I’m now Yondan, 4th-degree black belt and am still training.
In Aikido, in all martial arts, there’s a shit load of “not doing” before you can actually “do”. Yoda could learn from Sensei: “Just train.” Self-surrender and discipline compose that Nike sound bite, “Just do it”. Daring to be more me, daring to fail bravely defines my greater than path.
Sensei continually said, “Make it work.” His voice echoes in my mind, in my heart. Mistakes negate perfection. Yet, mistakes are your unique access to mastery. Wabi-sabi. The beauty and wonder of imperfection. Your imperfection is a gift you can leverage to become greater than you know you to be.
The Way of the Warrior is courageously failing, rising up, making the corrections, and moving forward. Perfection is entirely misguided. Basically, it’s just not worth your time.
I got from Sensei that I free myself of self-imposed definitions. I dare to make the greatest mistakes. Mess up miraculously. All the while, learning the lessons of humility and grace.
Sensei said, “Just train.” Practice. Practice. Put your heart into what you love to do. Mastery is the journey of becoming greater than you imagine yourself to be, not about perfection. Mastery is the love of life.
In Super Bowl 2017 the New England Patriots were 22 points down. Quarterback Tom Brady threw a careless interception. He knew it. He fucked up huge. I watched Tom as he pulled off his chin strap walking off the field. I saw that look in his eyes: That’s not happening again!
I thought, “Now the Falcons are really in trouble.” Tom created the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. He won his record 5th Super Bowl, and was named Super Bowl MVP.
During the trophy presentation, Hall of Famer Michael Strahan told Tom that he was the best Quarterback he has ever seen play this game. Tom smiled, “Michael, I’m not the best. I’m just tired.” Humility and grace. Tom is greater than he knows. We all can be greater than we know, too. Embrace the beauty in our own imperfection.
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Photo credit: Pixabay