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This blog is another opportunity to feel grateful. Thank you, dear Universe, you continue to bless me with recovery and health.
One does not visit Japan to learn about its age-old tradition called the art of Kintsugi.
Kintsugi is a popular theory for the message it proclaims. It’s an art where the practitioner uses golden or silver lacquer to fill the cracks of the broken piece of pottery. The irregular lines created by the fill are perceived as an element of beauty rather than a flaw.
The image is beautiful enough to catch anyone’s attention. The wonderful philosophy and perception make the piece a distinctive form of art.
Over the years, the popularity of Kintsugi has grown as a metaphor. It embraces imperfections and finds beauty in the broken.
My Kintsugi Experience
My story goes back to the days when I was diagnosed with a rare disease, Isaacs’ Syndrome. Isaacs’ is a neuromuscular health condition that stems from muscle hyperactivity. In the process, I also discovered that I had Lyme disease. Lyme is a bacterial illness that gets transmitted through ticks.
Glaucoma also accompanied me. Glaucoma is an eye-related disease that damages the optic nerves. And Membranous Glomerulonephritis is a progressive kidney disease. I faced tremendous issues with my gut, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes. During my journey, I also developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Diabetes, Frozen Shoulder, Eczema, and Blood Pressure.
Suddenly, there was nothing right! And no matter how hard I tried, my health only deteriorated.
A variety of negative thoughts emerged and aggravated from nowhere. I started reacting so differently. Anger, confusion, loss of motivation, and fear, all made me feel paralyzed. My mind almost stopped working and I was unable to cry for help when it was needed the most.
I would often struggle with various physical and mental setbacks and that list of heavy medicines.
Ernest Hemingway said, “The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places.” Years after my diagnosis I found how the metaphor of brokenness and beauty took on a life of its own. I can relate to a shattered piece of art that becomes entirely a new entity after rejoining. Japan has faced tremendous earthquakes but again re-establishes. That’s the power of survival.
Grief’s pain is chronic and accumulates if not treated.
I say: There was a time in my life when I was broken, but now, even though not perfect, I feel stronger than ever.
In those years post-diagnosis, my world had changed dramatically. It had challenges for my expectations. The cracks of not being able to lead a normal life showed more and more in my daily life.
It was well understood that extraordinary things needed to come together to change the situation.
Taking hints from how Kintsugi has transformed lives, I decided to study the subject at length.
It was inspiring to learn how the art had the potential to gracefully fill my scars
- It taught patience
The process of repair takes time and needs patience and perseverance. Healing from physical and mental pain needs a lot of effort and is time-consuming. I learned to be gentle with myself and not rush the process.
- It’s astonishing but this art proved more than just a philosophy
The world isn’t an easy place to live. Everyone breaks. So, did I.
This art taught me to be stronger in places where it hurts the most. I still admire its completeness.
It helped me cultivate healthy practices that were much required to regain health. In the process, I became more receptive to my values.
- Cultivated Optimism
Research states the effectiveness and importance of being optimistic in life.
It was interesting to find how even disability groups use Kintsugi to their benefit. They can challenge thinking abilities and cultivate optimism.
This art gave me the willpower to shift my focus from the impossible to accepting the situation. I was motivated to find positive solutions to my problems and not lose hope.
- An innovative approach toward my hardships
Crisis or failures are inevitable. My mother reiterated to acknowledge that everybody has situations where they face a crisis. It does not make us failures, instead makes us feel like humans.
It was important for me to focus constructively. I looked at things that I could do, better and how my situation could bounce back.
Kintsugi was the reason I was open to receiving help. I am grateful that my family was extremely supportive.
- A learning curve to reframe my future
Utilizing thick experiences and mapping the future was one of the ways to move forward.
There were many hindrances. Many a time, I found my moves to be counterproductive. The reality was quite different from what I anticipated.
My health situation however called for finer actions and learning from past mistakes. I used useful tips from the art of Kintsugi to redefine the overall circumstance.
- A dent in life doesn’t necessarily mean, it’s all over
People who wish a change are those who refuse to sit back and wish things would change. They get up again, even after a steep fall.
The damage made me the person I am today.
Post diagnosis, it was essential not to see life negatively but instead as an opportunity in the light, we call life.
I incorporated smaller measures toward a healthy tomorrow.
- Having a better understanding of the art of acceptance:
Embracing acceptance in therapy is transformative.
Kintsugi inspired me to start enjoying simplicity, and limit complaints. The practice fostered growth, resilience, and personal healing.
It proved an essential component of my therapeutic interventions.
- Aren’t we all imperfect?:
Logically, we know that nothing around us is perfect but just knowing is not enough.
I became more receptive to new ideas and experiences.
The art of Kintsugi taught me to stop the comparison business even if I didn’t measure up to people’s idea of success and worthiness.
It was well clear that some people would like me and a lot of them won’t. And that’s fine.
The logic helped me gain much freedom and heal better.
I rigorously worked on two major areas: being aware of my resources and forming a self-care model.
It was nice to discover online choices available to buy kintsugi kits. Yet, the idea of Kintsugi was appealing enough to repair the broken pieces of my life that proved more special than only ceramics. I’m sure fixing my life and the lives of my loved ones is more pleasurable and valuable than my favourite coffee mug.
Today, despite being fragile in our respective ways, wellness is all about overcoming challenges and inspiring others with our golden cracks.
I hope that the image of gold from the art of Kintsugi invokes a moment of beauty and inspires you.
Inspired by the thought of Kintsugi, I decided to share my self-experiences through the platform of Ordinarily Rare.
The idea of the platform is to gracefully accept imperfections and transform them into strength. It surfaces my healing journey by exploring various ideas that nourish our mind, body, and spirit.
I hope that by sharing this article, I can help readers realize that there’s another wellness side. In my experience, healing is about the practice of overcoming challenges and being a better version of oneself with all our golden cracks.”
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not represent any kind of medical advice.
