The storms pulsed through Ocean City NJ on Monday … big drenching downpours with the occasional rumble of thunder and lightning flash.  And, there we were, with our 9 year old granddaughter facing a ‘no beach’ day.  With boogie boarding banned, my uber enthusiastic self-created a huge list of ‘we could dos’ and she wanted to do every single one of them.

Off we headed to the boardwalk … first for some indoor mini-golf.  Of course, going big and bold, we headed for the new glow-in-the-dark course.   Just 15 seconds into this adventure and I knew that I’d made a mistake.  Partially blind in one eye and with issues in the other eye that cause my ophthalmologist to proclaim that my eyes are especially weird, the combination of fluorescent neon and pitch black darkness set my knees to wobbling.  I made it for 14 of the holes until vertigo claimed me as its victim.

By this time, of course, my granddaughter was set for the next promised adventure … some rides at the indoor amusement park.  Yup, just what I needed, keeping an eye on her safety and watching the tilt-a-whirl and the merry-go-round spin … and spin … and spin.

They say that if you want to make the gods laugh, just tell them that you have a ‘plan’.  Well, the gods were roaring with good humor on Monday.  Here I was, a victim of my own ‘plan’ for the perfect rainy beach day.

When she’d arrived at the shore house a few days earlier, I’d advised her to enjoy each of our adventures as we were doing them … to stay in the moment and not wish she were on the boardwalk when she was building sand castles or to wish she was watching the new Pixar release ‘Brave’ when she was having her hair braided.  Yet, I’d fallen into that very trap … I’d planned every moment, leaving no room for spontaneity or for just chllin’ on the porch on a rainy beach day.

Next time, we’ll just cuddle and watch the storm and take it one step at a time.

Today’s my first day as a blogger, writing a personal journal (where I encourage positive dialogue) on the topic of seeking imperfection.  You’ll learn more about me in this first post where I’m reprinting my ‘About The Author’ page because it explains how I want to get my Wabi-Sabi on, embracing imperfection to improve my life. I’m hoping that some of you will want to join me on this journey.

I was thinking about the start to this first entry when inspiration appeared at my window … literally.  A little yellow finch was consistently beating its beak against the window to my study.  How amazing, here I was starting a blog about backing off from the hard wall of perfection and my little finch supplied me with the perfect metaphor.  So little bird, thank you for today’s lesson, “When you hit a hard immovable object, turn around, face the open world, and try another, gentler, kinder, easier path to happiness.”

Anyway … here’s my ‘About the Author’:

Hi, my name is Joan.  I’m leading a great life … not perfect but, darned good.  I’m happy in a long term marriage.  I got raised a child that I adored.  While not my grandchildren by blood, I have six ‘grands’ (as I call them) that had room for another grandparent so I’m lucky enough to be a beloved ‘Noanie’.  A wonderful 20 year corporate career led to an early retirement where I find plenty of work as a consultant.  I get to indulge my passions for travel, digital photography, and art.  I have several friends who both like and love me.  All in all, I’ve been a very lucky woman.

And, I’ve been a very driven woman.  When I do something I throw myself into it.  And, I usually get results.  But, just recently, I’ve been noticing that this drive for results and for perfection, may not be getting me where I want to be.  Sometimes my desire for perfection keeps me from doing something that would have been ‘good enough’, something that would have inched me closer to a goal.  And, sometimes my desire for perfection, makes me the ‘fixer’, digging people out of jams, trying to keep them out of trouble on an ongoing basis.  But, not many people want a ‘fixer’ in their lives on a continuing basis.

So, it seemed like a good time for some self-reflection, some judicious editing of learned behaviors, some opportunities to deepen relationships, experience more joy, get healthier, be more kind, expand my creative opportunities, and to trade ‘fixing’ for something (I don’t know what yet).

The concepts of Wabi-Sabi seemed the perfect vehicle for my quest.  Wikipedia notes that the words don’t easily translate.  But, Wabi connotes rustic simplicity, freshness, quietness, or understated elegance.  And Sabi is the beauty and serenity evidenced in the patina that comes from both visible repairs and wear.  That seems very much like ‘my next step’ … I want my daily wear-and-tear and the decisions that I make to burnish a patina and provide me with an simple, quiet, understated elegance in the way I live my daily life.

This blog is my journal.  It’s not intended as a forum for complaining and bemoaning my current state.  I have a blessed life.  But, it’s needs a bit of polish.  And, I think that my wabi-sabi will come from focusing on seeking a bit more imperfection, applied in just the right doses.

If this appeals to you, I invite you to join in my journey and those of the blog followers (if anyone signs up).  If it doesn’t appeal to you, I ask you to just find another blogger who has a similar mindset to yours.  We’re going to support each other in this venture, even if it is occasionally in an imperfect way.

Thank you for reading ‘About the Author’.  Be well, now and always …