Coralesque

“Real poetry,” said the Japanese poet Basho, “is to lead a beautiful life. To live poetry is better than to write it.” And whenever he saw one of his young students being rude, in a fit of anger, or otherwise acting unworthily, he would gently lay his hand on the arm of the youth and say, “But this is not poetry! This is not poetry.”

I came across this story many years ago when my kids were teenagers, and somehow wrote it into the manuscript of my life. I began using everyday events and occurrences as opportunities to shape a crazily beautiful, purposeful work of art out of the canvas of my existence. My tools were my thoughts, actions and decisions. Whether it was struggles at work or moments of pleasure with loved ones, I decided to create the most exquisite artwork I could from the mundane reality of my life as a working mom. Here is what I learnt.

Firstly, we must embrace imperfection. Just like no two works of art can be exactly the same, there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ life. Mistakes and challenges are part of the process, adding depth and character to our personal journey. In fact, as Leonard Cohen, the Canadian singer-songwriter and artist, sang in his 1992 song Anthem, “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” Rather than striving for flawlessness, we should aim for authenticity, allowing our true selves to be reflected in our choices, even when they seem unconventional or ‘flawed’.

Secondly, creativity isn’t limited to traditional forms of art; it manifests in everyday decisions. The aim is to act with intention and mindfulness, ensuring that our choices align with our core values. This is how we paint moments of joy, connection and growth into our life. Life itself becomes a series of creative acts when we choose to respond with love, patience and kindness in the face of adversity.

Thirdly, to create a life that is meaningful, we must also be willing to take risks. Just as an artist might try a new technique, we too must step outside our comfort zone. Innovation and growth come from pushing boundaries, and the result is often more extraordinary than we could have imagined.

And finally, all the colours of life are glorious exactly as they are. Even moments of darkness can be a source of beauty, providing contrast to make the brighter moments more vibrant.

Ultimately, our life is our greatest creation. With every brushstroke, we can turn ordinary days into extraordinary memories, create value for ourselves and others, and leave a legacy of meaning.

First published in Metro Woman magazine

Lead image: Cecy Alvarado / Pexels