Last night I had dinner with my friend. My dear friend who I realize I miss so much. She was my boss, the principle at the school where I worked for so many years. She was a great boss, and is a now a great friend. She did my evaluations, year after year. There was a time when I thought I'd never have conversations like this with her. While visiting, I told her about my blog as a way to keep up with my life in Chicago. She asked me how I found the time to blog. She said she worries and edits everything she writes so many times that blogging would just be too cumbersome. I told her that I allow myself complete writing freedom on my blog page. I have noticed over the years of writing that when I find out someone new is reading my words I sometimes hesitate and wait to write when I have time to rough draft, etc. etc. into perfection. Those are often the times when weeks go by without an entry. Now I just write: what I'm thinking as I'm thinking it. If I have time to spellcheck I do. But usually, by the time I'm done with a post full of photos, a lot of time has passed and I need to move on with another part of my life...so up it goes, as is. Peotic lisence.
Yes, there are imperfections in my writing, as in my thoughts and in my actions. But that is where I like to connect: In the sacred space of being real.
This morning I am sitting here drinking my coffee and looking at the flowers she cut for me from her garden. Each blossom is so large. They make me marvel at the thought of editing in our humaness...and the miracle of these Dahlias and Black-Eyed Susans...that just...bloomed contentedly without any second guesses.
I love this post. It rings so true for me right now. Over the past year, one big lesson I've learned is about the beauty in imperfection. In Japanese, the term 'wabi sabi' loosely refers to this concept. Isn't that a fun term?: wabi sabi. I hope your friend gives blogging a try.
Posted by: kim | June 15, 2009 at 10:23 AM
I love your blog and never notice imperfections. You paint beautiful pictures with your words (not to mention there ARE beautiful pictures:)
I'm a high school English teacher so imagine the pressure in even the simplest email?
So from now on it's "wabi sabi" all the way for me. :):) (Thanks Kim!) I may use it as a topic on my blog someday.
Posted by: LisaJane | June 17, 2009 at 05:56 AM
A new freeing-up phrase, "poetic justice." Love it...great post.
Posted by: naomi dagen bloom | June 28, 2009 at 08:02 PM
Sorry, I can't control my over-control, meant to write "peotic" justice!
Posted by: naomi dagen bloom | June 28, 2009 at 08:04 PM