TL;DR:
- Instead of a New Year’s resolution, think of selecting a word for the year.
- Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with gold, silver, or platinum to create beauty in imperfections.
- How can we apply kintsugi as we learn and grow in 2022?
- Embrace imperfections, flaws, and mistakes this year. You are spectacular as you are!
One Word
Last year, instead of a New Year’s resolution I selected to choose to participate in One Word. The word I picked was intentional and made that my word for 2021. I tried to make sure I was intentional in all my words, actions, thoughts, and emotions. Being intentional was my motto. This year when selecting my word I contemplated lots of options. While deliberating I was reminded of scribble art and that was my inspiration for my one word for 2022.
When we embrace kintsugi we also embrace our flaws. We don't hide them from others. Modeling growth from our mistakes. We create environments that allow risk-taking. Click To TweetScribble Art
When my boys were younger and we went to a restaurant, we used to play games at the table to keep them entertained. Games like tic-tac-toe and the dot game. My favorite game was “scribble art.” I am not sure if that is the name but that is what we called it. One of us would draw a scribble on the paper and the other would have to turn the scribble into a small picture. We would take all turns. It would keep the boys entertained and patient while we waited for our food. I was reflecting upon the past year and trying to think of my word for 2022. It reminded me of this game and our time together.
Kintsugi: Embrace Imperfections
My word for 2022 is “kintsugi.” Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with a special lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum. It comes from “wabi sabi,” the Zen belief in finding the beauty in imperfections. When the process of kintsugi is completed the imperfections created from the break are embraced and enhanced. It uses something precious to make the break be stronger, more valuable, and more beautiful…turning an imperfection into a strength.
“Scribble art” is in a sense our kind of kintsugi. We took the imperfect scribbles and turned them into little pieces of art. Time in the restaurant that could have been stressful and difficult was turned it into special moments with our boys. We created memories and strengthened our family bonds.
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Kintsugi in Leadership
As leaders, we know things are very rarely perfect. Often we deal with mistakes and imperfections out of our control. When we apply kintsugi we can learn from the mistakes or imperfections and grow. We need to look at obstacles as opportunities. Turn imperfect or difficult situations into beautiful strengths.
We need to ask 3 questions when we are faced with imperfect or difficult situations:
- What can I learn from this difficulty?
- What is the hidden “gold” in this failure?
- How can I use this growth, and how can it make me a stronger leader/person?
When we embrace kintsugi we also embrace our flaws. We don’t hide them from others, modeling growth from our mistakes. We create environments that allow risk-taking. Because kintsugi looks at vulnerabilities as opportunities for strength and growth it allows us to improve become better.
Kintsugi in 2022: Embrace Imperfections and Flaws
Kintsugi is my word for 2022. I am going to embrace imperfections and flaws. I’m going to use them to make me, situations, and relationships better. I hope that at the end of 2022 my world and hopefully the world will be improved, stronger, more beautiful.
About Raymond Porten
Raymond Porten is a husband to an AMAZING wife, 2 wonderful boys, a principal of an elementary school in northern Illinois, and a Golden Apple Scholar. He spends his free time traveling with his family, cooking with his boys, and he finds the time to co-host 2 podcasts. He’s been in education for 20 years and has worked as a 5th grade teacher, middle school dean, 7th and 8th grade social studies teacher, middle school assistant principal and now as a principal. He believes in the importance of building relationships and of taking every opportunity to lead and make a difference in the world.
