The bravest warrior strives to be perfectly imperfect. Every person who has ever accomplished anything did so not by being perfect but by embracing their imperfections. Perfect is defined as, “conforming absolutely to a description or definition of an ideal.” The lethal culture of budo is one that strives for perfection and that necessitates order and conformity and sometimes the lack thereof can be frowned upon. We want to fit in and the easiest way to do this is to become “perfect.” Fitting in and striving for perfection are good, but they can also be pathological as we lose our sense of identity or if we become obsessed with the ideal of being perfect. Perfection is not a destination, but a state of mind. Imperfection is actually a higher state of being than perfection. To accept one’s own imperfection is to acknowledge our own individuality because the journey of life is to eventually learn to accept ourselves and that means accepting and even loving our imperfections. In Japanese culture, there is an abstract concept called wabi-sabi (侘寂) which might be loosely defined as “embracing or loving imperfections.” Furuya Sensei put an ancient incantation on his video series that read, Rin (臨), Pyō (兵), Tō (闘), Sha (者), Kai (皆), Jin (陣), Retsu (列), Zai (在), Zen (前) or “The bravest warriors surpasses all others at the front of the battlefield.” We cannot excel at the front of the battlefield if we are staying back with the pack. Striving for perfection teaches us the value of hard work and the definition of quality while imperfections enable us to stand up and to ultimately succeed. The normal person files in, but only a true warrior can stand up or stand out. Our imperfections make us who we are. Embrace your imperfections because they make you who you are and they make you unique. The bravest warrior can only excel at the front of the battlefield because they have strived to be perfectly imperfect.
Today’s goal: Notice the times when you are not perfect. Smile and embrace it.