Kintsukuroi, As We Know It

Some people are particularly gifted. They apply genius tricks in dropping everything they handle, especially glassware and porcelain. Some others commit more atrocious crimes like not returning phone calls, forgetting to bring home mom’s beloved lunch boxes or even vanishing from sight when relatives call up.

Many of us could always run late to work and be the first ones to leave, jump a million signals like an athlete running an obstacle race, ask people where they are heading to, just as they step out of the house and this one’s my favourite: remind people of utterly disgusting things on the dinner table. Sheer bliss...!

Although I have repeatedly been one of these gifted persons at some point in time, I am sure to have aroused anger and laughter amongst my loved ones. Isn’t that the beauty of the whole ‘being forgetful, hot headed, late runner, happy realisation and hopelessly damaged people?’ And trust me many times karma has made me lose my appetite listening to someone else’s gross descriptions.

The Japanese, real long time back came up with this amazing concept called Kintsukuroi, which many of you could be aware of. To every cracked or broken pot, they cemented the gaps with silver, gold or even platinum. As a consequence, the pot gained a new texture and its flaws transformed into beautiful art.

Though real ancient in thought and process, I guess a lot can be adopted and stolen (ideas, I mean) to make the world a better place. Yes of course, there is no other way than punishing an innocently poor rash driver for jumping a signal. What was he to do when the nature’s call prioritised itself over the lives of some 10 pedestrians? But it is okay to forgive your best friend who said something awful in the heat of the moment.

Maybe not so easy to let go of a betrayal, but letting the memories evaporate can relieve you of the unnecessary burden of bottled anger. Letting that colleague have her or his way although yours was better, only makes us cement the gaps. Giving a second chance to someone who you know has gone wrong, can in turn relieve you. Just like a caged bird, finally set free.

And who knows with time, you may notice you have had a huge crack this whole time, only to realise that someone close to you filled it with the brightest hue of sun-gold.