Love for Imperfect Things by Haemin Sunim

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sometimes there are books that you just pick up blindly at the book store. This was the case with “Love for Imperfect Things”. We were at bookstore Blankevoort in Amstelveen, close to where we live. At the register was a long row of books and that’s where I found this book. I picked it up, scanned through the blurb and added the book to the others we were going to purchase. I read the Dutch translation: “Houden van Dingen die niet Perfect zijn”. Once we were home, I read the first thirty pages or so and found myself unable to put this book down.

“When someone asks for a favour, don’t forget that you have the option to say, “I’m terribly sorry, but I can’t do that.” You have no obligation to take on a task that will be a great burden on you. And if the relationship grows strained because you do not do the favour, it was never a good relationship to begin with.”

Haemin Sunim divided this book in eight chapters. Each one sheds some light on different subjects. By using anecdotes from his own life experience and wonderful quotes he tries to make you see things from a different perspective and give you strength and hope. Haemin Sunim is a Buddhist monk who studied in the United States. This puts him in a unique position where he has experienced both the Western and Eastern culture. This is why he understands how people in Western World are always busy and lead lives that are dictated by our calendars.

I think I read this book at the right time in my life, because I had been a little bit down and burnt out lately, because of a broken friendship, and worries about two of our cats who weren’t doing well. This book has given me a lot of opportunity to do some self reflection and I drew a lot of strength from it.

The way the book has been set up is beautifully done. The first chapters are about taking care of yourself, after which family, empathy and relations are covered. Then Haemin Sunim writes about courage, healing, enlightenment, and finally acceptation. The book is filled to the brim with wisdom and the colourful illustrations and beautiful quotes make you want to pick this book up every now and then and just read a couple of quotes.

“Whenever I see a book I want to read, I just buy it. I don’t have to read it immediately; as long as it’s there on my bookshelf, I will do it at some point. Even if the book is better used as a door stop, or a complex philosophical work, there will be a moment when I’ll be able to enjoy it.”

I think every bookworm will agree with the quote above 😉 “Love for Imperfect Things” gets a five star rating. It’s such a wonderful book! I think a lot of people will benefit from reading this work. It’s full of wisdom and parts that enable you to reflect upon yourself. It makes you see things from a different perspective, and it can also give you comfort. We are not perfect and we live in an imperfect world, but we have to try and find the good in all things, because it is out there, if you stop and look for it!

Rating:

Cover art: 🌟🌟🌟½
Paper smell: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Print/lettering: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Originality: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Content: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Happy reading!

Jeffrey

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