Guilt is a natural emotion. It is an indicator of the fact that we are becoming better people even if we have made mistakes in the past. Guilt gives us a chance to learn, and an opportunity to fix the errors we have made. However, there are occasions when this very emotion begins to stifle us. Guilt can sometimes become so heavy that it makes us forget who we are. It begins to convince us that we are defined by our mistakes.
Recently, I discovered the existence of a stunning Japanese art called Kintsugi. The word Kintsugi means to join with gold. Kintsugi is the art of using gold or similar precious metals to mend broken pottery and other ceramics. This art is especially beautiful because it not only gives broken vessels a chance to be used again, but it makes the article more attractive and precious in the process. The fissures in the material are not hidden, but rather highlighted by shining, precious metal.