What if Each of Us is a Piece of this Universal Jigsaw Puzzle?

I’ve always loved jigsaw puzzles.

I find jigsaw puzzles so incredibly soothing, and to me, they’re like the Law of Attraction in visible form. I ask, and it is given.

I completed my first 1,000 piece puzzle by myself when I was around 5 years old. One of the first things I purchased when I learned that we needed to stay home for an extended period of time was a 2,000 piece puzzle. It’s larger than any other one I’ve done, and it has been a quiet blessing in these times.

Over the years, I have occasionally treated myself to the luxury of doing a puzzle, and when I do, I usually start thinking about how putting a puzzle together is a great metaphor for life. We start with the easiest pieces – the outline – the ones that fit together without much effort or concentration, the ones that we intuitively know are to be connected.

Once we have those in place, the next part inevitably catches our eye. Maybe it’s a vibrant color, or a sign with letters, but whatever the case may be, if we’re open to it, that section reveals itself to us rather quickly. While looking at the box to know what’s coming may be some people’s method for putting a puzzle together, I prefer to be surprised and to let the magic happen organically. I love that rush of excitement when a new color jumps out at me. I love the feeling of knowing instinctively where a piece will fit before I even pick it up. I love the feeling of reassurance when it goes where it’s supposed to. I never get upset when something doesn’t fit. Why do we do that in life?

With this particular global jigsaw puzzle, I don’t know what the bigger picture is.

The gifts of this quiet time at home have been abundant.

Without being fully aware of it, this simple way of life is what I had been craving. All the noise has fallen away, and what remains is love, faith and peace. Love for those closest to me, for all those people who are using their kindness and creativity to help others, faith in the goodness of humanity, faith that we are stronger and more resilient than any current situation, and a deeper sense of peace, knowing that while I am not in control of what’s happening, I have the power to use my thoughts to be part of the problem or part of the solution.

In the midst of these gifts is joy and gratitude for the blessings we’ve already received, and for those that are on their way, for the people who are working to keep us safe, and for all who are choosing to love in bigger ways than ever before. I think that this situation is bringing out the very best of humanity.

Why do we try to cram a piece in that doesn’t belong?

Maybe it’s not for me to know. One thing that has become evident is that we are united in a way that I never could have predicted. What if each of us is a piece of the universal puzzle? What if we all fit together by simply doing our part? What if we are here to be our best selves, and to trust that one way or another, there is something greater that holds us all together? What if love is the heartbeat of all that we do?

I’ve decided to ask myself each morning what I can do to comfort and nurture myself. Today, I’m giving myself the gift of a relaxing jigsaw puzzle, which gives me time to reflect on all the good that’s already in my life, and to dream my big dreams about what I want to create. It’s my own personal, much-needed retreat.