The Art of Repairing a Surgeon: Kintsugi for The Mindful Surgeon
Surgeons, in their pursuit of excellence, continuous learning, and dedication to patient care, inevitably encounter setbacks. The stereotypical image of a surgeon is strong, resilient, tough and know everything under the sun. So, when the reality of a setback hits us, some surgeons take it too personally, impacting not only our professional confidence but also our self worth! On the other hand, this does not seemed to impact some surgeons at all. They just brush it off and move on. So where is the balance?
In Japanese philosophy, there exists a centuries-old practice known as Kintsugi. This ancient art form involves mending broken pottery by filling the cracks with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The philosophy of this technique, is that it embraces brokenness and repair as intrinsic elements of an object’s history – a metaphorical narrative of resilience, healing, and repurpose.
The beauty of Kintsugi for me is in its ability to highlight the “scars” as an integral part of the design, turning the mended object into something more unique, beautiful, and resilient. It teaches us a crucial lesson: in the process of repairing things that have broken, we often create something that transcends the original.
This philosophy is oddly parallel to the life of a surgeon, whose journey is marked by triumphs and setbacks, successes and failures. As the year concludes, we surgeons, like anyone else, reflects on the past, taking stock of achievements and failures, rejections and setbacks. As the new year beckons, resolutions are made with a hopeful gaze towards a glass half full. Yet, an underlying fear persists – will this year be different, or will it be just like the year that has passed?
The art of Kintsugi steps in as a guide, urging us to embrace flaws rather than conceal them. Surgeons, who dedicate their lives to the craft, often neglect the necessary self-care and healing. All surgeons are inherently competitive, whether with ourselves or with others. We are taught by society, by our profession to hide our weakness or reframe it in a positive way so that it can be disguised as a strength.
But sometimes a mistake, a rejection or failure is just an event. It is we who attach it with a negative emotion. It is not possible for everyone to be everything. Rather than burying or hiding our shortcomings, we can accept them openly and try to improve that aspect. By acknowledging our flaws and being aware of our weakness, we can ask for help and mitigate the impact it has on other aspects on our lives.
We surgeons must prioritize this art of repairing ourselves in our lives. Highlighting the cracks and mending them with metaphorical gold symbolizes a holistic approach to personal and professional development. The journey entails not only the pursuit of excellence in surgical skills but also the mindful repair of the physical and mental well-being.
As we step into the new year, let us carry the wisdom of Kintsugi with us. Let us embrace our imperfections, learn from failures, and commit to repairing ourselves with the same dedication we apply to our patients. By highlighting our cracks and mending them with metaphorical gold, we can craft a more resilient, compassionate, and fulfilled version of ourselves.
