Michelangelo's David stands as an enduring symbol of human perfection, a stunning representation of what we often hold ourselves and others accountable to. Yet, could being the best version of ourselves embrace the flaws inherent within us?
In the Japanese art of Kintsugi, flaws are not only acknowledged but celebrated. When a vessel breaks, it is repaired with golden seams, transforming the breakage into something precious. The cracks, once seen as imperfections, become a vital part of the object's story, enhancing its value and beauty. Kintsugi teaches us to honour repair and restoration, weaving richness and meaning into what might have been discarded.
But what have we discarded within ourselves? What parts of our story have we hidden, pushed away, or left unacknowledged—unresolved—that long to be seen and heard? Perhaps it's time to look again, to discover the potential for beauty and meaning in the very things we've been taught to overlook.
It's a striking contrast to the way we often approach ourselves. So much of human behaviour is shaped by rigid ideas of perfection and imperfection—as though we must always appear whole, or worse, cling to our emptiness and brokenness without truly engaging in the transformational work of returning to wholeness.
Nothing ever stays the same. Life itself is a process of change, a cycle of breaking and mending. Much like the philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, which finds beauty in the natural cycle of growth, decay, and renewal, it's a reminder that in our own journey, our imperfections—our golden threads—are what bring vitality and value to our life's story.
Lovely piece of writing. A few days ago I was in Arnotts, a Dublin department store known for selling expensive items. I rambled over to the household goods section, on a whim, and noticed some lovely white porcelain bowls. As I was handling one of them, it nearly slipped out of my hands. Oops, I thought, as I noticed the eye-watering price tag. That was close.
As I was walking away, I noticed that all the bowls looked the same. I'm sure there are tiny imperfections in each of them but they are unnoticeable to the human eye. There was a sheen of sameness about them all.
I though that had the bowl broke, It would have broken in a…