We come across many theories and philosophies that teach us to train our minds to deal with scars and disappointments and maintain a positive mindset even in dire circumstances. One of the practices that inspire most is Kintsugi. It is the Japanese art technique of repairing broken pottery with molten gold. The broken pieces are joined with glue from tree sap and the cracks are adorned with gold. The most exciting fact is, no attempt is made by the craftsman to hide the cracks, and instead, those are highlighted. Genius is more often found in a cracked pot than in a whole one, says E.B. White. True, imperfection has a beauty of its own and also applies to our lives. Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them. We go through hardships that can leave us feeling completely broken. Kintsugi inspires us to embrace our flaws and accept them as a part of life.

 

The repaired cracks of the pottery represent the healing process. Life's difficulties can leave many scars, but our resilience and mental ability to heal can eventually lead betterment. When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece. Similarly, life's challenges and hardships push us to discover our strengths, skills and abilities in a new way. Challenges are not supposed to paralyse you, they are to help you discover who you are. Difficulties are of amazing nature, for someone these are speed-breakers and for others opportunity to jump. Its up to us, how we take them. Without crossing the worst situations, no one can touch the best corners of life. Kites rise highest against the wind; not with it. Kintsugi meaning "joining with gold’’, this centuries-old art is more than aesthetic. For the Japanese, it's part of a broader philosophy of embracing the beauty of human flaws. This not only teaches calm when a cherished piece of pottery breaks, it is a reminder of the beauty of human fragility as well. It teaches us to stay optimistic when things fall apart and to celebrate the flaws and missteps of life.

 

There is a way and the way is on the way. When faced with a problem or a challenge, look for a way, not a way out. You always pass through failures on the way to success. The kintsugi technique is an extension of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which sees beauty in the imperfection and value in simplicity. Everything that happens doesn't have always inherent meaning; rather it is up to us to make meaning of what happens. Making meaning out of worst situation is an art; beautiful analogy for the same is the Japanese concepts of Kintsugi. It is essentially the philosophy of remaking of man. Man is never a finished creation. The self is not readymade, but something in continuous formation through choice of action. Everyone makes and carries within him, his own "heaven' and ''hell’’, it all depends on how we take it and make it. It is always good for a person to have few minutes of hell to appreciate heaven well. A life of rich fulfilment comes to those who are capable of taking out something worth even from the setbacks they have faced. In an age of mass production and quick disposal, learning to accept and celebrate scars and flaws is a powerful lesson in humanity and sustainability.