Repairing Connections for Individuals: The Puzzle

Setting out to complete a jigsaw puzzle can be a daunting task, at least initially, and it can seem even more complicated if we don’t have a reference picture to begin with or an illustration to guide us. Some of the inherent questions that prevent us from beginning the puzzle are: Where do I start? Do I have enough time? Are all the pieces here? Do I have the necessary skills? Soon thereafter we discover that we simply must start somewhere. Most often, folks start with the four corners, next they may create a border, then there is a process of sorting, some may do this by color or a theme recognized within the frame of each piece. This may vary by person, but most often the pieces are arranged and organized to make the process of building simpler. Once this is completed, the process of construction can begin, but yet and still, it is only accomplished piece by piece. One of our greatest challenges while completing the puzzle is not to consider the pace that others have arrived at completion. Yes, it’s true that some may be able to complete the puzzle in a day while it may take us a week, but when we engage in this comparison, it may rob us of the fun of discovery or ultimately cause us to quit because we don’t measure up. Surely, it’s okay or even encouraged to consider another’s process, assess their strategy, or borrow their technique, however, it’s never okay to devalue our unique puzzle process.