I came across an amazing article on Kintsugi: the art of precious scars.
http://mymodernmet.com/kintsugi-kintsukuroi/
Kintsugi (literally translated means “golden repair”) is a Japanese art in which broken ceramics and pottery are fixed with resin and powdered gold dating back to the 15th century. It is the process of taking something that is broken and transforming it into a work of art. It is both beautiful and broken.
As a philosophy, kintsugi can be seen to have similarities to the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, an embracing of the flawed or imperfect ~ valuing the marks of wear and tear on an object.
This fascinated me, as I have many physical and emotional “scars” from my past issues with my drugs and behaviors of choice over the years.
Wow~ Highlighting the cracks and repairs as simply an event in the life of an object rather than allowing its service to end at the time of its damage or breakage… not throwing it away as broken and useless.
It appeals to my vanity perhaps.. I am drawn to the idea that my past has somehow made me a better, even stronger person for having gone through my “issues”. Learn from my mistakes, make them lesson plans for a more productive way of life.
Am I somehow wiser for having embraced my issues.. acknowledged my flaws, and taken steps to learn from them, and in essence.. maybe become a better version of ME?
Pondering … and grateful for this journal option to hear like minded folks views.
really thought provoking. I have read about this art form before; and have loved the metaphor. This is the first time though, that i have thought about the idea as “highlighting” the broken and mended part. and the meaning that brings to my experience and life moving forward.