My Wabi-Sabi Master is My Dog
My Wabi-Sabi Master is My DogPerfection is a gooey chew toy on a worn out old blankie By GALINA PEMBROKE Up until recently, three dominant attitudes have ruled my living space: ? my boyfriend's: if it breaks, fix it. ? my own: if it breaks, replace it. ? and my dog's: if it breaks, keep it and love it all the moreWithout realizing it, my dog has been a master practitioner of wabi-sabi, a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that celebrates the simple and the handmade, including the flaws.Especially the flaws?More than just the appreciation of unpretentious art and craft, wabi-sabi is a uniquely joyful way of viewing and contemplating the world. As Leonard Koren describes it in Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers, wabi-sabi is "the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete." It is no coincidence that the first practitioners of wabi-sabi were Zen Buddhist monks and tea-masters.My dog Tucker is a 30-pound, wooly sheltie-crossbreed; painted by the creator with a wholly imperfect, abstract pattern of brown, black and white. With his flattened, rock-chewing teeth; he is an unlikely leader.
Yet, through his actions, Tucker has shown me the beauty of wabi-sabi . Presents and Presence Every year I celebrate Tucker's birthday which I maintain is the day he stepped out of the dog pound and in through my door. For me, this means the renewed challenge of shopping for a new dog toy that promises to delight Tucker and light up his wabi-sabi life. For Tucker, this means the aggravation of me dangling another squeak-toy or Kong product in front of his unimpressed snout. I am such a consumer fool.
Every year it's the same. Polite dog that he is, Tucker examines the shiny new object with feigned interest before dismissing it. He then curls up in his war-torn blanket to gnaw on his ancient, barely identifiable, mangled ball. Once a perfect sphere, it now resembles a cracked egg. With its aged crevices and broken, rounded protuberances, I am unable to understand how he could be near it- let alone mouth it.
Tucker, however, couldn't be happier. Drooling contentedly over his gooey-soft ball, he shows me that perfection cannot be bought, achieved, manipulated, or maintained. It is an inner experience: canine wabi-sabi. The Perfect Cloud In India, there is a mantra signifying this feeling of fullness. Translated, it is "That is perfect.
This is perfect. From the perfect springs the perfect. If the perfect is taken from the perfect, the perfect remains." Too bad this understanding is absent from so much of our "new is better" consumer society. Wabi-sabi is a less wasteful way of living. Even Tucker's assortment of bought-and-soon- forgotten dog toys can be donated.
Satisfaction with things as they are, though used and worn, means we replace less and save more. Handmade and one-of-a-kind, wabi-sabi pottery is deliberately and gloriously "pre-owned" right out of the box. Wabi-sabi regards these flaws as enhancements. Western culture imitates this in marketing, with new-worn jeans and marked-up furniture. We tag this as recycled and call ourselves retro.
Recycling doesn't exist in the wabi-sabi world. My attempts at converting Tucker's ball into sheet-plastic via the recycle box, have been met with prompt retrieval by digging paws and slobbering jaw. In wabi-sabi, decay replaces conversion. [Would be interesting to note the similarity(?) to the modern Western countercultural aesthetic of worn and torn blue jeans and recycled vintage clothing and furniture.] As Buddhist poet and musician Leonard Cohen observes in his song "Anthem," "There's a crack in everything; that's how the light gets in." In life, rain and ice may crack and erode the new and the beautiful, but the crumbling marks they leave behind are the signature of water, the ultimate life-giver. Thus, wabi-sabi doesn't simply see the silver lining in every cloud, it sees the cloud itself as a silver lining in a perfect blue sky.
As I struggle to appreciate the beauty of decay, Tucker is my faithful wabi-sabi master. Tucker and I are running barefoot through the soft sands of my hometown's ocean beach. The night air feels clean and cool. I stop often, dislodging the golden-grains from between my blue-painted-toes while searching for a stick. I throw Tucker a three-foot long mini-log, and he returns it as a six-inch frayed twig.
He will not surrender it. I hoist and parade another mini-log. He ignores me. He is mesmerized by the twig. He has the perfect chew toy.
Marred. Scarred. Semi-hard. Its decay proves to be its strength. It is the perfect Tucker stick toy in all its dwindling six-inch glory.
I too have a habit of chewing my environment. Pens and pencils are particularly attractive when I'm struggling with a new challenge. In the past, I would discard my teeth-indented creative tools". But Tucker has taught me the value of fractured belongings. Now when I look at the mangled implements of my creative struggles, I see their scars as battle wounds, each one a testament to the origin of a thought.
I keep and respect them. Everything is Enough As Plato suggested true perfection is always an ideal, never a reality. Consider "the perfect egg." There are so many variables beyond the cook's control: the stove-top temperature, the accuracy of the timer, the needy neighbors relentless ringing (I love alliteration) at the door. Even if you do achieve the ideal creamy softness or just-hard-enough suppleness, the egg still won't taste just right if you're queasy over being dumped, fired, or otherwise jarred by the outside world. Ultimately, the perfect egg is an inside job.As the Tao Te Ching it states "If you mold a cup you have to make it hollow: it is the emptiness within that makes it useful." Westernized society tends to see holes as absences, instead of potential.
Every day we suffer disappointments, because reality - like some mangled chew toy or overboiled egg - falls short of our ideals. Yet those rows of hard bitten pencils bear witness to our best efforts. We have given it our best shot. Like Tucker, all we need do now to find wabi-sabi contentment is to stretch out on our war-torn blankets and delight in what we have..
Designer Kelly Nishimoto Retains aLine media for Public Relations Representation
(ContentDesk) March 21, 2006 -- Design maverick Kelly Nishimoto has retained aLine media public relations to assist in the launch of her newest fashion collection. Best described as simply elegant fashion with a creative flair, the line includes flowing hooded dresses and drawstring pants to backless blouses. ???The Kelly Nishimoto line offers women a way to add timeless pieces to their collection which are both comfortable and fashionable.
Designs utilize soft luxe fabrics of stretch silk and vintage t-shirts that are embellished with Swarovski crystals and abalone shells. Our partnership with aLine media will greatly enhance our brand recognition and continue to promote clothing for fashionable women everywhere, says owner/designer Kelly Nishimoto.
aLine media is an aggressive full service public relations firm with expertise in the development and execution of media coverage, event planning, artist representation and brand marketing. aLine media has been listed in...
Designer Kelly Nishimoto Retains aLine media for Public Relations Representation
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CoutureCandy Affiliate Program Launches on Commission Junction
Santa Barbara, CA (ContentDesk) July 5, 2006 -- CoutureCandy (http://www.CoutureCandy.com), the premier women's luxury boutique, today announced the launch of its CoutureCandy Affiliate Program with Commission Junction (http://www.cj.com).
CoutureCandy's affiliate program allows online marketers to participate in advertising products sold through CoutureCandy and generate commissions on referred sales. CoutureCandy has solidified itself as a leading provider of women's apparel and high fashion by offering a wide range of exceptional products in conjunction with fashion information, trends and news. CoutureCandy's innovations allow everyone from the most sophisticated fashionista to someone new to the industry to have a comfortable online shopping experience normally found only in exclusive fashion boutiques. With the CoutureGram newsletters, celebrity style information,...
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Top 10 Fashion Mistakes: What NOT to Wear
Image includes everything that is in your appearance ? not simply how well you put your makeup on and style your hair, and not just how expensive is your bag, but also how well you put all these things together. Sometimes a tiny flaw can ruin the carefully concocted look. Don't let that happen to you. Fashion Mistake #1. Skirt too skimpy.
The skirt should not rise up to mid-thigh when you sit down. If you have to pull it down constantly then maybe it is too short or too tight. Make it a rule of thumb to keep the skirt for daytime attires maximum an inch above the knee. Fashion Mistake #2. Silly, not cute.
Avoid frilly blouses when you don't party. It's a popular belief that a frilly blouse will make you look feminine and romantic; instead it makes you look unprofessional and frivolous. Choose a blouse in ivory or white ? it goes well with everything. Fashion Mistake #3. Bare legs in winter.
Leave it to chic Mahnattanites in Sex And The City to show off bare legs...
Top 10 Fashion Mistakes: What NOT to Wear
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Abby Z Prepares Plus-Size Fashion Extravaganza
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (ContentDesk) September 9, 2005 -- Abby Z. -- premier designer to Hollywood's women of size - will be debuting her latest collection of sexy, fun and fabulous clothing for today's plus size woman with a star-studded fashion show on September 13, 2005 at the Canal Room on West Broadway during NYC Fashion Week. It will be her first runway show. The spirit of the event, "It's Good To Be Me" will embody Abby's philosophy -
it is very empowering to see women of all sizes embracing their curves and being fashionable. Her line is just over a year old, but it has fast become a favorite among celebrities.
Many of these A-listers have already agreed to be a part of this exciting evening of class, style and sophistication. R & B songstress Angie Stone, actresses Rosario Dawson (accompanied on the runway by her mother Isabella), Ashlie Atkinson, Violator Entertainment's Mona Scott,
gossip queen Flo Anthony and Emmy-nominated Camryn Manheim will all...
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South Florida Parenting Magazine Presents Camp Fun Fest March 18 at the Shop at Sunset Place 12pm - 6pm
Tamarac, FL (ContentDesk) February 18, 2006 -- Shopping for the hottest summer camp and coolest summer activities?
Visit The Shops at Sunset Place for South Florida Parentings Camp Fun Fest.
This free event will be held Saturday, March 18, 12pm 6pm at The Shops at Sunset Place, located at 5701 Sunset Dr., Miami, FL.Whether its Smores, campfires, horseback riding, soccer, computer classes, field trips or friends, camp memories last a lifetime.
Dont miss out on the opportunity to pick the best camp for your children.
Stop by South Florida Parentings Camp Fun Fest and talk to camp representatives from sports camps, academic camps, day camps, overnight camps, arts camps and many more.
Some of the hottest camps and summer programs from in around Miami will be there as well as camps from around Florida and the nation.In addition to camp exhibitors, South Florida Parentings Camp Fun Fest will include lots of fun activities for kids and families....
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The Metrosexual Man vs. The Cowboy- What Do Women Want?
The Metrosexual Man vs. The Cowboy- What DO Women Want?He always looks perfectly put together. He can be in a t-shirt and jeans or heading out to a black-tie event. His hair never has a bad day. His nails are clean and buffed.
His clothes are perfectly pressed and exquisitely coordinated. He smells like flowers and spice. Is he gay? No, he's the new metrosexual man.As many of you know by now, the term "metrosexual" was coined by a journalist (and gay man) named Mark Simpson, to describe a new kind of urban male who is straight, but in touch with his feminine side and not afraid to show it. Essentially, metrosexuals are guys who take on behaviors and show an interest in things that have traditionally belonged in the female domain.You may have a metrosexual brother, male friend or boyfriend (ex). These are the guys you can shop till you drop with.
They can discuss fashion, will notice your great new shoes, buy their grooming products from the same places you do and have no...
The Metrosexual Man vs. The Cowboy- What Do Women Want?
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Using Visual Aids To Enhance Public Speaking
Have you ever attended a lecture or discussion where the mainspeaker drones on and on and you wonder if he's ever going toquit? And even if the material was interesting enough, it was toocomplicated to work out in your head? Yeah, we've probably allbeen there, which is why it's important to know how to make yourpublic speaking skills more effective.For me the phrase "visual aids" brings back wonderful memories of countless classrooms and teachers saying, "You will be graded down without the use of visual aids!" However, if you have the right ones, visual aids can really make your speaking more effective.The most common types of visual aids are graphs, sketches, maps,scale models, charts, pictures, posters, handouts, and sound orvideo clips. But the number most important visual aid is you.Your appearance, including your clothing, grooming, and facialexpressions, has the biggest impact on how the audience will react to your words. Consider this-- let's say you go listen to a business professional...
Using Visual Aids To Enhance Public Speaking
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School is in Session--Tips From Consolidated Credit Make Costs Less Burdensome Now and Throughout the Year
(ContentDesk) August 24, 2005 -- To avoid your budget being blown throughout the year, prepare a checklist of needed items and establish a budget each time before you go shopping. "A budget enables parents to set a good financial example for children.
It's an excellent opportunity to teach young people about the importance of paying attention to prices, controlling spending and knowing the difference between needs and wants", says Howard Dvorkin, founder of Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc. Shopping advice: 1) Let kids pay for some items with their own money. If your fashion-conscious son or daughter wants a pair of pricey designer jeans, for example, you might offer to pay up to the cost of a less expensive non-brand pair and let him or her pay the difference.
2) Consider teaming-up with another family and buy
items needed in bulk quantities.
By shopping at warehouse discount stores, two or even three families can divide purchases
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