Like cracking, the light gets in
from the song “Kintsugi” by Lana del rey
It’s how the light gets in
That’s how the light gets in
That’s how the light gets in
Then you’re golden
It is said that one can be wise only by going through challenges. As I’ve grown up (up not older) I’ve met many people (especially in middle age) who’ve spoken of being “broken” by life. If only these adults knew about the art of Kinsugi! And not only that, if you could teach your child how to be a “Kintsugi Kid”. It might help them through the good and the bad of life.
Beauty in the Broken: What is Kintsugi?
Kintsugi is a practice started in Japan in the 15th century of repairing broken pottery by filling the cracks with gold. The broken cracks are highlighted and celebrated and only adds to the beauty of the piece.
The pottery is more beautiful because of (not in spite of) the cracks.
This concept has such a deep and profound message and has so many layers of wisdom.
One of the gifts of aging is learning through experience. The longer we are alive, the more good and bad experiences we will have. And that’s where the wisdom of Kintsugi comes to light.
It’s an optimistic and positive outlook on the bad things that happen in life.
Kintsugi is the art and practice of finding beauty in the broken. And one way to teach it to your child is by incorporating the concept into your own outlook. Children learn from watching their parents.
If you handle hardships with grace and with a “Kintsugi” outlook it will not only benefit your own mental health. But it will also help your child to learn how to accept their own upsets and heartaches as a beautiful part of their story.
How to Teach Your Child to be a Kintsugi Kid
Do you know why little things are huge to young children?
It’s because children don’t have the life experience to compare. For this reason it is a major event the first time they fall down off their bike. Therefore, as they grow, their experience widens and events become less major. Generally, a teenager might fall off a bike and not miss a beat.
Eventually, our children will some day experience heartbreak, disappointments and challenges in life. (No matter how hard we might try to protect them).
We all fall off the bike. At the same time the wisdom or gift in those challenges is learning to get back up. Kintsugi teaches us to not only survive but to thrive from our fall.
Like broken pottery put back together with gold, we are made whole again in spite of our trials and tribulations and are more beautiful and unique having been broken. This is especially true for children who are often shaped by their childhood experiences. I think it’s important that we teach them from a young age to honor and celebrate the things that make them unique.
-Allison mathis jones (author of kintsugi kid)
Author Allison Mathis Jones wrote a children’s book (called Kintsugi Kid) to introduce children to the concept of Kintsugi. This book is a beautiful way to introduce the concept to young children. You can find it on her website or order her book off Amazon.
I especially love and appreciate that this book encourages children to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism.
Kintsugi in Popular Songs/Music
The rock band Fall Out Boy has a song called “Kintsugi Kid” in which they talk about addiction and embracing their imperfection. It’s a pretty catchy tune overall. You can find the video HERE on Youtube.
The singer Lana Del Rey also has a song titled “Kintsugi”. I quoted this song at the beginning of this post. The song itself is a bit slower and not as “catchy” as the Fall Out Boy song. But I like the lyrics. I especially love the concept of the heart needing to break in order to let the light in. You can find out her song HERE on Youtube.
I think I’ve always embraced the darkness of life. Because without darkness there can be no light. And the sooner you see that, the sooner you can embrace the whole of life. And it’s beautiful.
As always, Remember 2 Savor all of life. Even the cracks. That’s where the light gets in.
