Life Lessons

I have to talk about this Pine Tree Puzzle. I've done it before.....then loaned it to a friend. But I came across another one in a thrift shop.....and picked it up just in case I don't get the other one back. I remember loving it. 

So here I go with my every once in a while post about the life lessons I learn from my puzzles. Yes...you read that right. 

Past practice can be a helpful tool.

I remember the first time I started this one it seemed daunting! I loved the little doodle trees and the ombre of colors....but how in the world was I going to approach it. But once I figured out a few strategies it moved right along. 

I'm using the the same strategies this time...and I'm loving it. Again! I sorted all the pieces as best I could by color and placed them in my boxes with the trees images going up and down. Then it's all about shape and color.

Things aren't always as they appear. Be open to that.

You can tell what shape I was looking for in that first photo...but I just couldn't find it so I was sure it was missing. But the piece was a different shape than I thought it would be. This has been happening over and over in this puzzle....and once I realized that...I was open to it and it didn't slow me down.

Prep work is important...but it needs to be done well. 

When I couldn't find a piece I remembered from last time I might have a piece upside down in a box. That was exactly the case with this piece....and it was the one I was looking for. Each piece informs the next one....so it has to be going the right way.

I checked my prepwork in my boxes again...and found a few others that were upside down. 

When we are broken....it's more important than ever to surround ourselves with others. Now....more than ever!

I was bummed when I saw that there was one piece in the box that was broken in half. Do you see it? I didn't think it would fit well...and thought it would stand out. 

But once it was surrounded by the other trees in the forest....it was just fine. Now I kind of like that it's there being held together by its neighbors.

I could go on...but I'll stop here. The most important lesson puzzles teach me is do what brings you joy. And this one has been nothing but a joy so far.