We are all made up of the people we’ve encountered, everything we have experienced. Little parts of these people and places has shaped us, moulded us into who we are. The good, the bad, the pretty, the ugly — it all stems from how we respond to the situations we are presented with.
I am reminded of Kintsugi: a Japanese art of attaching broken pottery pieces back together with gold.
All of us may have accumulated various cracks over the years: from heartache, disappointment, failure, grief, despair. During those moments in time, we may have wondered if we will ever be able to move on from the things that broke us.
Like this Japanese art form, the use of gold dust in repairing these cracks reminded me of the precious way that we should be treated despite our flaws and imperfections.
In our own pottery, we hold the laughter of our friends, the love of our family, the chattering of people near and far, the surprising and occasional warmth of humanity. The stitching up’s of cracked hearts, bitter words in heated arguments, melodies that get us through our days, and a flurry of emotions we may not always have the words to say. We are made up of all of these.
Our response and reactions may be a game-changer, leaving us with a choice in becoming who we want to be. In patience and in waiting, your purpose may unfold itself, in learning and growing from what you went through.
I am reminded that it is okay to love. Even if love feels like you’re falling in one fell swoop, even if love at one point feels naïve and foolish. I do not regret loving, even if it is towards old friends, old lovers, or role models I used to aspire to be.
The art of Kintsugi treasures these pieces despite its cracks and bruises.
I hope that you too, will treasure who you are, with all of your love and resilience.
