In researching a talk subject on brokenness and wholeness. Without giving away the whole gig, I've settled on the concept of broken pottery and how ultimately useful it is to upcycle. It can be utilized in arts and mosaic creations. A broken vase can become a bowl or plate, house a fairy garden or plant. With a candle inside it becomes a whimsical path light. In ancient times, a broken water jug was repurposed as cookware and serving platters. Pottery is virtually indestructible and lasts for decades, even found intact long after the civilizations that created it have long perished.
Aren't all of us broken in one way or another - mentally, emotionally or spiritually?
Are we as aware of the times we excel and function well we are when we are lacking?
Or is it that we spend so much time being down on ourselves it's hard to recognize?
Why do we feel weak when we need medication to feel less broken?
Why is it a liability to be a work in progress?
Why do we judge ourselves and others for not meeting our expectations?
A story that beautifully illustrates the value of cracked pots:
A water bearer in India had two large pots hanging at the ends of a pole that he carried across his neck. One of the pots was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house. The other pot had a crack in it, and by the time it reached its destination, it was only half full. Every day for two years the water bearer delivered only one and one-half pots of water to the master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments—perfect to the end for which it was made. The poor little cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfections and miserable that it could accomplish only half of what it had been designed to do. After two years of what the imperfect pot perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer and said, "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
"Why?" asked the bearer, "What are you ashamed of?"
"Well, for these past two years, I have been able to deliver only half a load of water each day because this crack in my side allows water to leak out all the way back to the master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all this work without getting the full value of your efforts," the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot noticed the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because half of its load had leaked out once again.
Then the bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path and not on the other pot's side? That's because I've always known about your flaw and took advantage of it by planting flower seeds on your side of the path. Every day as we walked back from the stream, you watered those seeds, and for two years I have picked these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just what you are, he would not have had this beauty to grace his house." - from Joyce Meyer's page, see below.
How often do we see only our shortcomings and failures rather than witness to the light and guidance we provide for others? I think it lends credibility and approach-ability to others not to have it all together 100% of the time. Imperfect people are more comfortable to interact with and their advice holds up under the pressure of day to day life.
By the way, if you have a broken pot, bowl or vase I could use as a visual aid especially if it will let light diffuse through the cracks, let me know. Might have to break some ceramics in the near future.
For another viewpoint on this subject:
http://www.joycemeyer.org/Articles/ea.aspx?article=doing_your_best_with_what_you_have
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