Kintsugi

 

My explanation of the art of Kintsugi does not do it justice.  It is a Japanese method in which broken pottery is not just repaired, but repaired to a state that is better than its original... gold is used to fill and glue the cracks back together- adding beauty to the original piece... adding strength and value by emphasizing its imperfections...."Embracing the brokenness"...  I am enamored... Pieces are put back together... it is now unlike any other... and  it will not again break in the same way...

Years ago I saw a beautiful video on tiktok about Kintsugi; it was the first time I had heard that word.  Sadly I cannot find the video that was so beautiful and poetic in its explanation, but the idea of it was imprinted on me.  

As I struggle with the results of the 2024 presidential election... I felt something that was hard for me to articulate.  The closest word was "broken..." But it was not accurate... perhaps I was shattered... but I refuse to be broken... I do not want to identify in that way... Broken seems to be a definitive state, indicates permanency... and that is not me... 

This election has shattered me to the core for many reasons... but I know I will put myself back together... and I believe it will be with more strength, with a lot more scars and I believe there will be a lot of beauty along the way... 

I need a place to process, which, for me, means writing... I have done blogs before and while this blog may or may not become a place where I share regularly... I an creating this place for myself... a place to express my thoughts.  It is likely that there will be times the blog posts will be unrefined- because the way in which I write is often a stream of consciousness. It may or may not be something that is interesting or inspiring... but maybe... just maybe it will be relatable... and maybe - it will help some understand my perspective...understand my beliefs... and understand me in ways you maybe have not before.  This is where I start adding gold to the cracks...

If you are here - it is likely I have invited you to be here or you have been invited by someone I invited... 

Welcome.