In the wake of Thanksgiving, as I joined many Americans in the collective reflection on gratitude for life and all it offers, my thoughts extended beyond mere appreciation. Amidst this contemplation, a burning question arose: where do we navigate from this juncture? I've found solace in constructing a mental model—an intricate guide pointing the way forward from the crossroads we currently stand upon.
In my quest for an example encapsulating the essence of reclaiming our crumbling world, I've sought a beacon that embodies my beliefs…. Kintsugi.
What was once a Thanksgiving steeped in historical narratives today has transformed into a personal reflection for me, an ode to the accumulative blessings woven into the fabric of life.
I have spent the last week ignoring the contentious realms of political discourse and geopolitical landscapes and instead paid attention to how to overcome the palpable disintegration of society starkly revealed in current economics, healthcare, finance, education, etc. It is within this modern-day decay—a collective awakening that rejects parasitic existence and embraces harsh truths as catalysts for communal rejuvenation.
Ultimately, the death of society as we know it is an opportunity for renewal. The shattered remnants of the world around us, akin to the pieces of a fragmented cup, beckon to be reassembled—an imperative to reconstruct not merely for functionality but to infuse the reformed whole with newfound purpose: The transition from a fabricated reality to an authentic existence.
KINTSUGI
Kintsugi embodies a profound philosophical perspective rooted in the Japanese aesthetic concept of "wabi-sabi." At its core, wabi-sabi appreciates life's transient and imperfect nature, finding beauty in impermanence, imperfection, and the inevitable cycle of growth and decay. As an expression of wabi-sabi, Kintsugi extends this philosophy to the realm of material objects, asserting that mending broken items is not just a practical necessity but an opportunity to create something more valuable and unique. By highlighting the cracks with precious metals, Kintsugi transforms the broken pieces into a testament of resilience and the passage of time, inviting contemplation on the inherent beauty of flaws and the transformative power of embracing life's inevitable challenges.
In a broader sense, Kintsugi's philosophy encourages a shift in perspective towards adversity and change. It suggests that rather than attempting to erase or conceal the scars of life, we should acknowledge, honor, and even embellish them. The philosophy teaches us that, much like the carefully repaired pottery, we can find strength and beauty in our own healing and growth processes, embracing the richness that comes from acknowledging and celebrating the entirety of our experiences.
LEARNING TO SAIL THE HIGH WINDS
Navigating his modern-day change becomes a metaphorical voyage—an invitation to embrace the high winds and seas. As the saying goes, smooth seas do not make for skilled sailors. Reminiscences of sailing through high winds and rough patches unveil the resilience acquired in facing challenges head-on. The storm, an inevitability, becomes a canvas for shaping a new reality—an artistic endeavor, an opportunity to adopt the philosophy of Kitsugi in the grand reweaving of the world around us.
In the winds of change, turbulence heralds chaos and an opportunity for rejuvenation. Like a shattered cup, our broken times present optimal conditions for transformation. It's an invitation to look around, identify the fractured elements in our lives, communities, and institutions, and infuse them with the metaphorical gold of creative repair. The challenge is personal—a call to become artists in repairing, restoring, and breathing life back into the seemingly destroyed.
As the new year beckons, a challenge extends—search for the broken elements, the disrepair, the forgotten, and actively engage in the process of adding gold. It's not a task for someone else to undertake but a personal responsibility to reclaim agency in rebuilding communities. Concluding this discourse, the excellent opportunity embedded in the broken becomes apparent—a chance to rise again, not just as repaired entities but as much more beautiful forms.
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Kinstugi: How to Repair a Very Broken World