Our imperfections, scars, and mistakes, are not something to be ashamed of nor hide. Being human means we all experience hardship – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual in differing degrees. Literally and figuratively, we accumulate wounds and losses which represent a life well-lived.
Learning to embrace our flaws can be a dramatic shift from how we, born and raised in the Western world, are shaped from a young age. Personal reinforcements tell us that symmetry is perceived to be more attractive and a sign of beauty. Professionally, from the early years in school to the later years inside the corporate walls, we are taught to strive for excellence and perfection as these are signs of success.
There is much we can learn from the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi which values simplicity and finds beauty in imperfections. The art form of Kintsugi uses the breaking, repairing, and highlighting of imperfections to create majestic works of beauty.
When life brings pain personally and/or professionally, shifting one’s mindset to embrace life’s trials can instead lead to healing. No matter what one faces, self-acceptance is the courage to be hopeful, finding new beauty and value within oneself.
To embrace imperfections, life lessons, and failures may not come easy… BUT this kind of true beauty lasts forever.
If you want to learn more here’s a wonderful article written by the admin at Japanese Tales: https://japanesetales.com/kintsugi-the-japanese-art-of-mending-pottery-with-gold/