For the Japanese, there is a deeper philosophy behind simply mending something, that shows we could be embracing the beauty of human flaws. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold — a metaphor for embracing the flaws and imperfections that are created by life’s scars, the wounds and emotional damage that we will inevitably accumulate over the course of a lifetime. “You won't realize your full potential until you go through the tough times”. With that said, Kintsugi, as with any personal development, takes work and awareness in order for it to truly be healing.
However, the 15th-Century practice of kintsugi, meaning “to join with gold”, is a reminder to stay optimistic when things fall apart and to celebrate the flaws and mishaps of life. The kintsugi technique is an extension of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which sees beauty in the incomplete and value in simplicity.
Kintsugi reminds us of the impermanence of all things – nothing stays forever. Like our seasons which constantly changing, our lives do not stagnate, there is always change. Similar to a piece of pottery, our lives are infused with fragility, setbacks and unpredictability. The bowl may be broken, but it can be pieced together and embraced or celebrated for its newfound beauty.
“Our imperfections can be the birth of something new.” In a society that prizes youth and flawlessness and discards broken objects, our culture should not resist the idea of this Japanese philosophy. We need to look for the beauty and potential in broken pieces, to wear our “golden” scars with pride. Kintsugi teaches us to accept and celebrate how we've come back from struggle.
I’m aware that some people will struggle with Valentine's Day
, but maybe this is yet another reason to show yourself some serious self-love and embrace those flaws and cracks, celebrate putting the broken pieces back together with family or friends. Shower yourself with LOVE.
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