Home > Work > Love for Imperfect Things: How to Accept Yourself in a World Striving for Perfection
1 " If you love someone: embrace him, like the Holy Mother embraces Her one and only Son. Listen attentively, like there is no one else but him in the whole universe. Look into his eyes, like a soul trying to communicate after losing a language. Dance together, like tomorrow is your final day on earth "
― Haemin Sunim , Love for Imperfect Things: How to Accept Yourself in a World Striving for Perfection
2 " If you were often rejected or ignored by your parents while growing up, you can end up seeking the love and attention you were denied from your romantic partner instead. If your partner is even slightly indifferent towards you, then the wound from your childhood can be ripped open, causeing a big fight with your partner. But the real cause isn’t your partner; it’s the wound you are carrying around within you. Rather than projecting this wound onto your partner and causing a fight, set aside your pride and speak from the heart: “I am terrified that you will reject me and leave me, like my mum/dad did.” If we combine painful memories, the need for attention, and pride, the relationship can easily be ruined. "
3 " The nice cutlery set, tea, wine, clothes, open, quilt that you have been saving for a special occasion— use them whenever you get the chance. Special moments are not separate from our everyday lives. When you make use of something special, it makes the moment special "
4 " The good heart that prays for the end of others suffering ends its own suffering with such prayers. Send out your blessings to family, friends, colleagues, strangers on the street. A saint acts compassionately not because she is a saint. Rather, her compassionate acts make her a saint. "
5 " When we become kinder to ourselves, we can become kinder to the world. "
6 " Do not think of yourself as a crescent moon, waiting for someone else to fill in the missing part of you. When you stand alone like a full moon, already complete in yourself, you will meet another person who is whole and complete just like you, and between you two, a healthy relationship can grow. Do not try and fit yourselves to each other to make one whole moon. Instead, be more like two full moons. You’ll respect each other’s individuality and interests while creating a relationship in which each of you shines brightly on the other "
7 " Because I have experienced pain, I am able to embrace the pain of others. Because I have made mistakes, I am able to forgive others their mistakes. May my suffering become the seed of compassion "
8 " Who is an unfortunate person? One who looks at other people and sees only their flaws. "
9 " There is a saying in Korea: “Lengthy deliberation often leads to a terrible decision.” If you think and worry too much before doing something, “your boat goes to the mountain instead of the ocean. "
10 " It’s okay that you have flaws. How could our lives be as clean and white as a blank sheet of paper? Life naturally takes its toll on our bodies, our minds, and our relationships. rather than choosing a life in which you do nothing for fear of making a mistake, choose a life that improves through failure and pain. And shout out loud to your struggling self, I love you so much "
11 " The reason we think we are better than others is that inferiority still lurks within us. A sense of superiority exists because of a sense of inferiority. "
12 " When you care for yourself first, the world will also find you worthy of care. "
13 " Thinking too much can make it difficult to act. If you just do it, then it is done. But if you give in to your thinking, your mind will get in the way, telling you “you can’t,” “you shouldn’t,” “you don’t want to.” In that case, get up early the next morning and just do the thing you’ve been putting off. If you give yourself time to start thinking about it, inaction will take hold again. "
14 " Listening openly, patiently, and attentively is one of the most significant expressions of love. "
15 " How would you feel if you were told you were wrong just for being different? "
16 " Don’t judge people based on how they appear, as they may have difficulties that nobody can see. "
17 " And yet, even though we find many such imperfect things in the world we live in, we cannot help but love them. Because our lives are far too precious to be spent in ridicule and hatred of what doesn’t appeal to us, of what we do not understand. "
18 " People are like heaters.” Our presence can warm each other. "
19 " Our True self can never be lost, even for a single moment. Just like the present can never be lost- it is always here and now, wether or not we pay attention to it "
20 " When you feel bad, don’t struggle with the feeling.If you struggle to control it, you can make it worse.However hard you might wish your feelings away, they will stay for as long as they need to.When you allow them to be there and watch them, they usually leave earlier than you expected. "