Summary
In this episode of Best Fails, host Alison Beckles sits down with Avelyn Christie for a candid and deeply human conversation about a failure in progress. Avelyn discusses her vision for an organization aimed at empowering young girls inspired by Kintsugi, a Japanese artform which celebrates the beauty in brokenness. In a moment of irony, Avelyn realised that her desire for perfection has kept the organization from ever launching. What began as a mission to provide solace and find beauty in our imperfect lives had been stalled by the very fear it was seeking to dismantle. Together, Alison and Avelyn explore vulnerability, accountability, and the ways perfectionism can quietly limit the impact we are capable of making. Avelyn’s story is a powerful reminder: meaningful impact doesn’t require perfection—it requires presence.
Takeaways
- Embracing imperfection leads to growth.
- Accountability is key to overcoming challenges.
- Childhood experiences shape our understanding of failure.
- Vulnerability can lead to deeper connections.
- Having a support system is crucial for success.
- Perfectionism can hinder progress.
- It’s important to celebrate small victories.
- Personal stories of failure can inspire others.
Soundbites
- “The lessons learned from those bruises and scars… helped in creating who I am today.”
- “My grief was never acknowledged, it was never catered to, was never addressed.”
- “You can’t keep the dream in your head, the vision in your head, you gotta write it down.”
- “Even though you are broken in certain places there’s still collateral beauty from those broken areas”
- “Failure isn’t feared, it’s explored.”
- “Embracing imperfection leads to growth.”
- “Perfectionism can hinder progress.”
- “The dream is too big for me.”
- “Make those barriers stepping stones.”
- “I was there waiting for it to become perfect”
- “Is not easy to change mindsets that have been solidified and cemented in there for 30 years”
- “If you don’t act, you’re going to die with the dream.”
- “Have somebody in your corner. I think that’s all you need sometimes.”
Chapter
00:00 Understanding Failure and Resilience
09:24 Introduction to Personal Experiences with Failure
12:11 Navigating Academic Challenges and Expectations
14:53 Finding Outlets for Stress and Grief
16:58 Community Reactions to Failure
18:47 Exploring Vulnerability and Public Perception
30:03 Creating Impact Through Personal Experiences
32:37 The Art of Kintsugi: Embracing Brokenness
34:10 The Journey of Kintsugi Element: From Concept to Action
37:13 Overcoming Fear of Failure: A Personal Reflection
39:49 Accountability and Support: The Key to Progress
41:42 Embracing Imperfection: The Kintsugi Philosophy
45:38 Changing Perspectives: Barriers to Stepping Stones
49:30 Celebrating Small Wins: The Path to Success
51:16 The Importance of Community: Finding Your Support
54:57 Encouragement for Dreamers: Taking the Leap
Avelyn’s Profile
Avelyn Broome Christy is an educator with 23 years experience and currently serves as the principal of the Rock Christian School. Her first love was accounting but after moving into auditing she decided to explore other avenues. So while pondering her next move, she was invited to substitute at a school for two weeks and the rest is history. She came, she saw, she loved, and she decided to stay.
Avelyn is also a women’s and child’s advocate and served as the president of the National Organization of Women of Barbados for five years. She has one beautiful daughter who is the product of her 25-year union with her husband, Adrian Christie.
Episode Links
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7GQaaEJOtHgXdkObXwnP2S?si=esDrUflORmmuWE1yd5aKog
YouTube: https://youtu.be/wudsHWtCN1w
