We often use the word ‘broken’ or ‘flawed’ to describe ourselves…when we have gone through any sort of trauma (emotional, physical, mental…) that leaves us with a scar. For me, I have reflected on the word “broken” lately, as I used it recently to describe myself. I used it because I am indeed “broken.” No doubt about it. I have cracks and scars that are part of my fabric…I even created a tattoo around ‘cracks’ and being ‘broken’ that I wear with pride. These cracks, these scars, these broken pieces have shaped me…and while time changes how I might view them or how I react to them…I cannot rid myself of them.

So yes, I am broken…but I would rather be broken than not. Why? Because by being broken the light gets in. You gain perspective you would have never had. You become stronger and more insightful. You learn and grow in ways you never believed possible.

For me, “broken” might be one of my favorite descriptors of how I identify myself with others. I am not perfect, I am not flawless. I am someone who makes mistakes. I am someone who has failed and will continue to do so. I also someone who owns who I am, stands behind my broken elements and believes I am a good human. Being broken makes me want to live life in a way many say is ‘exhausting’ or ‘always going’ and they might be right…but I might not get tomorrow and I intend to life the heck out of this life I have…as broken as it feels at times.

I don’t apologize for being broken…I don’t apologize if the areas that I am broken cause me to act in a certain way at times…I don’t stand here stating that my broken qualities might be viewed as intense because of how I operate and behave.

In fact, if more of us spoke about the cracks, the flaws, the scars we have…we might understand each other more. I challenge us that when we cross the path with someone who has scars…and we hit a chord in a way we didn’t intend…give both yourself and them grace…and as I say “take 10.” Take 10 to listen. You may not understand, you may not agree…but listening allows us to learn. It eliminates assumptions…and who knows, you may find a common ground you never knew existed. And if nothing else…we can walk away with compassion that we are all doing the best we can…and that we are trying to be good humans in this world.

Broken is a gift…you just have to think differently about how you perceive the word and how you share that gift with others.

A story…

I was in the Dollar Tree last night and there was a lady and two kids behind me in the LONG line. One was a big kid, the other a toddler. The bigger one had a pack of glow sticks and the toddler was screaming for them. Mom opened the pack and him one. The tears and screaming stopped. Just then the big kid took the glowstick and the toddler started to cry and scream. Just as the Mom was about to lose it…the older child bent the glowstick, handed it back to the toddler as it started to glow. He said ‘I had to break it so you could get the full effect from it.’

Sometimes…we break so that we are shown our purpose…to show us that we are stronger than we think…to show us what we are made of. There are some of us that are content just ‘being’ and live a life of little disruption. Some of us are chosen to have more breaks so we can find our true light, our true potential.

Being broken allows us to glow in a way we would have never done before. That is why ‘broken’ is a gift.