Life is like a puzzle

Part of the challenge of mortality is the unpredictability. Perfectionists like things to happen in order and on schedule. I recently heard an analogy that I like:

Life is like a puzzle, only I don’t get to see the final picture at the beginning. 

So I start out by finding a few pieces that fit together, usually around the outer edge. The outside edges are easier. (Similarly, I might be able to fix my outside so it looks put together. But on the inside, it’s more difficult and messy.)  

I might see a piece that looks like it would fit, but when I try it, it’s not quite right, so I have to set it aside for the time being. I don’t throw out the whole puzzle just because I can’t figure out where that particular piece goes. 

I might have a piece that is oddly shaped, or that is particularly distinctive. When I see where it matches, it’s pretty obvious.

There are times when I need to pull away from putting the puzzle together to focus on other concerns, and it seems like not much gets done for a period of time. When I come back to it later, I might have a fresh outlook that helps. 

Other people might stop by and help me put some of the pieces together. They might see connections I’ve not seen. 

Sometimes I need to let go of the picture I’m trying to create. My idea of what it “should” look like can blind me to what it “could” look like. When I’m determined to create a particular outcome, I can close myself off to possibilities hiding in the pile of options right in front of me. 

As I gradually piece the puzzle together, the big picture starts to emerge. 

At Christmas time, we typically take neighbor gifts around to the people on our street. It’s fun to come up with a clever saying to go with the gift:
• Just popping in to say Merry Christmas! (popcorn)
• Merry Swiss Miss! (hot chocolate)
• We whisk you a Merry Christmas! (wire whisk)
• Seasoned Greetings! (bottle of seasoning)
• We’re soda lighted to wish you Happy Holidays! (bottle of soda)

You get the idea. 

So this year we gave each neighbor a small wooden puzzle with the tag: Piece on Earth!