Beauty in the Broken

You're not defective in any way.

Audio narration by David Marlow

In Japan, a broken ceramic object, such as a bowl or vase, is repaired using kintsugi, which features lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum.

Kintsugi, like wabi-sabi, symbolizes the idea that an object's use and wear enhance rather than diminish its worth.

The past harm and repair are honored as part of the history of an object and improved upon rather than being attempted to be hidden.

In many cases, the value of a bowl that has undergone kintsugi restoration may be higher than that of an unbroken bowl.

Much like a broken bowl, we suffer damage in our lives. How we respond, react, and repair makes all the difference.

I imagine trying to repair a bowl with superglue to put it back together like it was. Trying to conceal it only makes it worse. There is no hiding the fact the bowl was broken, and the super glue only emphasizes the fact.

Kintsugi embraces imperfections and incorporates them into the beauty of the piece.

There is a metaphor for life in understanding this.

It takes a tremendous act of courage to admit to yourself

that you are not defective in any way whatsoever.

Cheri Huber

Ignoring labels helps keep us from seeing ourselves as defective.

If we view ourselves as a work-in-progress rather than someone who always has to be perfect, we can let go of a lot of the weight we carry in our lives.

If we embrace our imperfections as well as the scars we begin to embrace the beauty that is our true essence.

A big part of this acceptance is an appreciation for all you are and have right now.

We chose whether we remain a broken bowl with visible lines or something more beautiful for having lived through the experience.

You aren’t defective in any way.

🌀 Reflection:

🌱 How might hiding imperfections in our lives compare to trying to conceal a broken bowl with superglue?

🌱 What does it mean to view ourselves as a "work-in-progress" instead of striving for perfection?

🌱 What does the idea that ‘you aren’t defective in any way’ mean to you?

🌱 How might believing that lead you to your Ikigai?

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