cracking up

In a recent email exchange with Shutter Sister Sarah-Ji, I was struck with the quote that was at the footer of her email:

There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.

It’s a perfectly simple idea—a sage lyric from Leonard Cohen—but I’m not sure I never thought about the cracks in things or in ourselves quite like that. The idea that the cracks actually bring the gift of illumination is a huge sigh of relief.

I repeat the lines in my head over and over again and I feel liberated. Why try to hide an imperfection that brings with it light? Imagine, if we begin to see the cracks like this, what happens to the rest of our fractures and flaws? There must be a silver lining to more of the less-than-perfect traits that we too often try to cover/mask/hide.

As I muse on the idea of celebrating my own imperfections, I encourage you to do the same. Let’s turn self-consciousness on its ear and willingly reveal the fissures that run through each of us. Perhaps if we begin to look at the cracks under a new, gentler, more tolerant lens, perhaps we can bring to light all the beauty—the big perfectly imperfect picture—of who we are.

Comments

[Raimonda]

I love this line (as I do love many by the great man). Imperfection is what makes life and people, and things real and beautiful, and whole! If only more people understood this and stopped stressfully striving for perfection...

[kosenrufu mama]

I love that picture!
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/02/colore.html
http://flickr.com/photos/23206424@N07/3286804319/

[Grey Street Girl]

That lyric really hits home for me. Not only do the cracks let in light, but warmth as well. It's amazing how we can be so supportive, giving and loving of each others' individualities, if we choose. Great post and picture!

[shelli]

Thanks. I needed that.

[ELK]

Tracey and Sarah Ji such words and image!

from earlier 2008 in a crack in the backyard:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/2839887031

[Tanya]

wonderful shot...and lyric. What I'm taking away from it is that yes, there are imperfections...but sometimes being married to a man 10yrs younger than I, I'm more apt to see the cracks...or crow's feet on my face...None of that negative energy come from him....I'm a goddess in his eyes. So, today, I choose to see myself through his loving eyes. I pride myself of aging gracefully...I honestly know this is the best I've looked or felt in my whole life...and everything keeps getting better, but there are those little moments when I'm not so self-assured that get me :) Three cheers for cracks! :) Who says art can't be therapeutic?

[renee @ FIMBY]

Wow, love this post. I am so self-critical sometimes of the little "failings" in my life. I think I should start thinking of them as cracks. Cracks that let in the light and grace of acceptance & forgiveness.

[camerashymomma]

wonderful.

i love that quote.

[Wendy]

what a beautiful uplifting post. thank you

[s]

I love that quote.
Also in one of U2's songs Bono says "I am not broke, but you can see the cracks"
I like that too!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandis_art/3287121087/

[Puna]

It's a beautiful image. I love the optimistic message. I wanted to run out and take a picture of the cracks in my settling home but instead posted this instead.

http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2009/02/17/through-the-crack/

[Sarah - Ji]

Thanks for sharing this, Tracey. Even though that quote is in my email signature, I often forget to hold this truth in my heart.

In full disclosure, I got the quote from listening to Brene Brown's Gift of Imperfect Parenting CD:
http://www.ordinarycourage.com/my-blog/category/imperfect-parenting

[Toni / daily vignette]

Excellent post. We are so tolerant of the cracks in others, yet can be so unforgiving of our own.

[Amy]

I feel a tiny fissure started in my day this morning and I'm afraid it will grow into an enormous crack. But perhaps that's just what I need. Thanks for a lovely post. I love those words.

[angie]

what a coincidence - i just posted about this exact quote! along with a photo of a very worn old porch floor. it's on my blog here: http://theartsycottage.blogspot.com/2009/02/is-crack-in-everything.html

i really like the idea that there is beauty in the imperfections - thanks for a great post!

[Amanda Johnston]

I love that quote :). It made me think of a particular picture of the clouds that I took in 2005. Here's a link: http://endlesslightcreations.blogspot.com/2009/02/shutter-sisters-has-quote-on-their.html

[Mariella]

Awesome, Tracey! I undercovered this similar concept in the book, "Broken Open" by Elizabeth Lesser. Embrace the cracks!! ;) xoxo, ~ M.

[Julie Alvarez]

This post made me remember Alanis Morrisette's song's lyrics, "You learn". It has something to do with imperfections and learning from them too.
I am learning to see myself through the camera more (many of us, women photographers, have that issue, I think), and to see my beloved ones' imperfections and like them anyway (or because of them too).

[Stephanie]

If the line from Leonard Cohen is speaking to you, please check out Brene Brown's Gift of Imperfect Parenting. She has a lot to say about "cracks" and how to keep the cracks.

http://www.ordinarycourage.com/my-blog/

[mika]

so much agreed :)

[sebrina]

Beautiful picture!! I love this post today!

[Elizabeth]

Your thoughts are received gratefully! Thank you.

[Charlane]

Cohen was brilliant - another similar quote that I love is "it's the cracks that make you beautiful, it's the cracks that make you whole."

[littlepurplecow]

I noticed that quote on Sarah's email footer and fell in love with it too.

[MammaLoves]

What a terrific sentiment. I never trust "perfect" anyway. I much prefer character.

Thank you for this.

[Katy]

It's the imperfections that give things...and people!...character. That's why I love antiques...old jewelry, old furniture, old knick-knacks and what-sits. They tell a story, and they are far more beautiful than sleek, factory-fresh, and soulless things. The cracks don't just let the light shine in; the cracks let the soul shine out!

[Jeanine]

i've always loved that quote. this is a photo of me, right about when my whole world cracked wide open last year. there was a sense of hopelessness at the time but now that a year has gone by, i can see that light came pouring in through the cracks.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderphotos/2147026458/in/set-72157612328253086/

[melody is slurping life]

You've looked into my imperfect soul, Tracey. Been working on growing beautiful things in my imperfect life.

http://slurpinglife.typepad.com/slurping_life/2009/02/along-the-bumpy-road.html

[Jessie]

A beautiful sentiment, you shared. Imperfection begets beauty.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bellabluebell/161904283

Cheers,
Jessie

[wemaster]

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