We have a Christmas tradition. (It is more of my Christmas tradition.) We do a couple of puzzles—ideally difficult puzzles—over the holiday break. We try to find puzzles of places we have visited (this year, it was Glacier National Park) and/or the most difficult puzzles we can find (my dad still curses the red glass apple on a black background I gave him years ago). This year it was a puzzle from the movie Elf. More specifically, it was a collage of Buddy Elf’s (i.e., Will Ferrell’s) faces. (I realized that Will Ferrell’s eyes never change. Only the shape of his mouth.)
I always start puzzles by laying out the boarder. The pieces of this puzzle were not interlocking and the image on the puzzle box cut off the boarder images. I had to put the boarder together not knowing if the image on the box was even the image of the puzzle. And, of course, the boarder kept breaking apart (the pieces did not interlock, remember).
I approach puzzles systematically. I decided to remove all pieces that did not have facial features. This was, in part, to make room on the table to slide the boarder around—the boarder that broke apart every time you would move it. This also permitted us to tackle the puzzle one face at a time—one Will Ferrell stare at a time.
Live is like a Will Ferrell puzzle. (I can’t help but hear that sentence in the voice of Forrest Gump as I write it.) We must approach it one challenge (one opportunity) at a time.
As we begin a new year, it may start a confusing mess like the Elf puzzle. If we take it one “piece” at a time—one challenge/opportunity at a time—we will manage. Start with a goal. Devise a plan. Attack the goal strategically.
I believe whole-heartedly that our lives are interconnected (like the pieces of the puzzle—and more or less interlocking) and Purposeful. Don’t discount the events of the year—good or bad. Know that all things work together for the greater good.
I wish all who read this (and those who don’t) a blessed and growth-filled 2023—and beyond.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow!
Carpe momento!! (Carpe annum!!)