Embracing and Reconnecting Our Broken Pieces with Gold

Have you ever had that moment when you felt yourself shatter and weren’t sure whether you’d be able to put yourself back together?

Recently I went to the Vancouver Art Gallery. One of the exhibits was full of white broken porcelain, along with tape and twine. No instructions, just open for interpretation.

At first I was not sure I wanted to “play” with the pieces, and then I decided, why not.

When I started I had no idea what would come out of putting these pieces together and before I knew it, a person started to form – one who felt the need to celebrate; hence the twine pom pom.

There was a time in my life, not too long ago, that I felt like that table covered in broken pieces. I felt broken, beyond repair. And yet, out of the corner of my eye, there was some tape and twine. All was not lost.

I have been able to reconfigure those pieces into a design that actually feels more like me. How incredible is that!

The twine you wonder -- they were people in my life who stepped in and held me: siblings, a therapist, a coach, neighbors, friends & family, and a new community.

And the tape -- the connection to myself: creativity, resilience, perseverance, determination, curiosity, grit, vulnerability, intuition, strength, empathy, courage, past experiences, and a willingness to try.

I’ve come to see my cracks and imperfections are a part of who I am.

In Japan, kintsugi is the art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold. It is believed that by embracing the imperfections you can create something that’s even stronger and frankly, more beautiful.

How are you embracing your imperfections, cracks and creases?

What would it look like for you to embrace your flaws and cover them with gold, rather than seeing them as ugly and defective?

I love your imperfections and your flaws – it is what connects us and makes you unique and wonderful.