How to be happy: 'Happy even if imperfect'

The flower in the top image is a Browallia.
Also known as "Luri-magaribana (Lapis Lazuli Twisted Flower)."
The flower language is "prayer."

It is said that this name was given
because the shape of the flower is not symmetrical,
but looks slightly distorted.

♧♣︎

Today, I baked bread
in a bread machine.

I prepared the ingredients with my children,
and set them in the bread machine.

"I wonder if it will turn out okay?"

While talking about that,
we looked forward to it finishing baking.

A few hours later,
when I opened the lid, the bread was done.

I couldn't help but take a picture.

But, as for its appearance,
it can hardly be called beautiful.

It is slightly tilted,
and the shape is somehow distorted.

If it were lined up in a bakery,
few people might pick it up.

Even so,
I felt happy looking at that bread.

Because,
I prepared the ingredients with my children,
waited for it to bake with excitement,
smelled the good aroma,
and shared the joy of eating it together.

Even if the shape is a little bad,
that kind of thing doesn't matter anymore.

For me, this bread
was not about the quality of the bread,
but the time spent with my family itself.

In this world,
there are many beautiful and perfect things.

If you look at social media,
wonderful houses, trips,
and beautiful dishes and works flow by one after another.

But,
there is no need to match your own happiness
to the standards of others.

Even if the shape is a little distorted,
even if things don't go as planned,
even if you aren't praised by others,
if you are happy, that is enough.

Rather, life itself
might be distorted.

There are times when things don't go as you wish.
You take detours and make mistakes.

Even so,
the bread I eat while laughing with my family is delicious,
and today is truly a happy day.

Lapis Lazuli "Distorted" Flower.

Today's bread is distorted.
That was the shape of happiness.

A book that influenced me in writing this article

"You Are a Good Child" by Hatsue Nakawaki

It is not just a bright story, dealing with topics like abuse and loneliness.

Even so, this book depicts the warmth of people caring for one another.

It is a book that makes you realize that happiness is not about special success or a perfect life, but about ordinary yet precious things like eating a meal with someone or being acknowledged by someone.

It is okay to be distorted.

It is okay not to be perfect.

It was a story that made me think that way.
I highly recommend it.

I have also compiled other flowers for "How to be happy"
at the link below.
Please take as much as you need🍀

Thank you for reading until the end.
I hope to see you in another article.
🍀May you be happy🍀