Drinking From A Cracked Cup
Drinking from a cracked mug or cup or glass may not seem like a big deal.
I’ve been guilty of it for the best part of my life.
Not that I didn’t know that those sharp-edged nicks can cut your finger or mouth.
What I hadn’t realized was that they can harbor harmful bacteria within the hairline cracks.
Suddenly I remembered all the chipped cups and saucers I had been drinking from in the coffee shops.
The sheer bliss of ignorance!😀
Now, what’s with all these cracked mugs and porcelain mishmash?
The other day, out of the blue, my favorite coffee mug developed a hairline crack. Coffee was slowly leaking through the tiny chinks. That was the end of the mug.
Time was ticking, and I needed to act before the missus caught on to save it from the trash can. Consequently, it now sits on my desk, proudly working as a crocked organizer.
A cracked cup can still serve a purpose, even if it’s not for its original intended use.
If a picture paints a thousand words, this one above would tell a thousand stories.
The metaphorical phrase “We are all cracked pots” highlights the imperfections and flaws that exist within each one of us.
Interestingly, I found out recently, that there is this traditional Japanese art form called Kintsukuroi which means “golden repair or golden joinery” where broken pottery is repaired using lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum emphasizing that it is these imperfections that make us human.
Rather than disguising or hiding them, the philosophy behind kintsukuroi is to embrace and highlight the flaws and imperfections of the broken object.
In essence, Kintsukuroi teaches us to find beauty in imperfection and to value the transformation process.
Quite the contrary to the norm, from what I know.
Which brings to mind this old Cracked Pot story that has been retold many times:
“A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot 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 cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years, this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you”.
The bearer asked, “Why? What are you ashamed of?”
The Pot replied, “For these past two years I am able to deliver only half of my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house.
Because of my flaws, you don’t get full value for your efforts”.
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.”
As they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it somewhat.
But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side?
That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them.
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”
Sometimes the broken places are the ones that let the most light in.
A cracked pot can still hold some water.
Its obvious faults are its unique features too.
Kintsukuroi again.
Similarly, Leonard Cohen, the Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist, was all about those soul-searching lyrics.
He kept cranking out classic tunes like “Hallelujah,” “Suzanne,” and “Bird on the Wire for over five decades.
In the seminal Anthem, Cohen encourages us to embrace imperfections and find beauty in the brokenness of life.
He reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of hope and light that can shine through:
“Ah, the wars they will be fought again
The holy dove, she will be caught again
Bought and sold, and bought again
The dove is never free
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in”
Another Kintsukuroi of sorts.
Wrapping Up
I’ve been watching the critically acclaimed Band of Brothers mini-series that depicts the true story of Easy Company, part of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, from jump training in the U.S. through its participation in major actions in Europe until the war’s end.
It explores the camaraderie, bravery, and sacrifices made by the men of Easy Company during their grueling experiences in World War II.
Just like any other conflict, it is a heart-wrenching and soul-searching tale that raises more questions than it provides answers about the senselessness of war.
Cracked mugs and pots, they may have been, all those soldiers.
Yet, they developed deep and powerful bonds through their experiences in the war zones.
Light in the cracks.
Signposts
- Recommended Reading: God Uses Cracked Pots — A sidesplitting, heartwarming collection of anecdotes that turn everyday events into humorous memories.
- Watch a Video: What Is Kintsukuroi?
- Send Some Love to those who may be feeling a bit low with these funny Cracked Mugs and Gift Sets.
Trivia
“What did the cracked pot say to the perfect pot?”
“You may be flawless, but I’ve got character!”
Till next time,
Cheers!
Jude
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