Macy, what a beautiful and insightful piece! I found your exploration of cherry blossom season and its parallels to life, loss, and change very poignant. I especially love how the Japanese cherish Sakura for its brevity, mirroring our own fleeting mortality.
I’ve always thought Wabi Sabi was such a beautiful concept since I first came across it. It reminds me of something I realized years ago: just because something doesn't last doesn't mean it wasn't love. So many people struggle with impermanence, especially in relationships. When a connection ends, there's a temptation to tarnish it in our minds, perhaps thinking it will somehow lessen the pain of the ending. But we can choose instead to appreciate it for what it was and be grateful for the experience.
I'd much rather appreciate everything for what it is and allow things to come and go throughout my life, not grasping anyone or anything too tightly. Your reflections on the "twilight of friendships" really spoke to this.
Thank you again for sharing this article with such grace and absolutely stunning visuals.
letting go… the hardest part of traveling and being on the move.
another japanese term i love is mono no aware: the beauty of things passing. yes, it’s sad — heartbreaking, even — to experience the end of something… but there is also a beauty in recognizing that it happened :’)
Completely agree, Kora! The author of Wabi Sabi: The Wisdom in Imperfection also touches on the importance of keeping a Mono No Aware mindset in living a Wabi Sabi life. Just finished the book today on a train actually, and 100% recommend checking it out. :)
that's amazing! i'm curious: what did the author say about the relationship between wabi sabi and mono no aware? is mono no aware a way of coping with wabi sabi?
Macy, what a beautiful and insightful piece! I found your exploration of cherry blossom season and its parallels to life, loss, and change very poignant. I especially love how the Japanese cherish Sakura for its brevity, mirroring our own fleeting mortality.
I’ve always thought Wabi Sabi was such a beautiful concept since I first came across it. It reminds me of something I realized years ago: just because something doesn't last doesn't mean it wasn't love. So many people struggle with impermanence, especially in relationships. When a connection ends, there's a temptation to tarnish it in our minds, perhaps thinking it will somehow lessen the pain of the ending. But we can choose instead to appreciate it for what it was and be grateful for the experience.
I'd much rather appreciate everything for what it is and allow things to come and go throughout my life, not grasping anyone or anything too tightly. Your reflections on the "twilight of friendships" really spoke to this.
Thank you again for sharing this article with such grace and absolutely stunning visuals.
Macy! Your newsletter reads like a travel journal kept under someone’s pillow. Dreamy and wistful and so my jam. ✈️🌧️
This was a beautiful and insightful posts. Loved the amazing photos. Now I’m going to look at cherry blossoms (and life) differently
Hoping you are well. Haven't seen a post in a while. Are you writing somewhere else?
Beautiful and timely. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
A lovely post, Macy! and I'm glad that you seem to have had a rewarding time in Japan.
Thank you, Jeffrey! It has been unforgettable.
I don't want to admit to skipping through to just look at the gorgeous photos but I thought these were breathtaking. The world is beautiful sometimes.
I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures, Michael 🤗
Great narrative - outstanding photography - the petals on the ground is a unique perspective not lost on your camera - thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Stan! The picture of the petals on the ground is one of my favorites.
letting go… the hardest part of traveling and being on the move.
another japanese term i love is mono no aware: the beauty of things passing. yes, it’s sad — heartbreaking, even — to experience the end of something… but there is also a beauty in recognizing that it happened :’)
Completely agree, Kora! The author of Wabi Sabi: The Wisdom in Imperfection also touches on the importance of keeping a Mono No Aware mindset in living a Wabi Sabi life. Just finished the book today on a train actually, and 100% recommend checking it out. :)
that's amazing! i'm curious: what did the author say about the relationship between wabi sabi and mono no aware? is mono no aware a way of coping with wabi sabi?