Puzzle Pieces

In an effort to switch things up one night last week, the Hubs and I decided to put a puzzle together, as our normal nightly routine consists of eating dinner, doing schoolwork, and then watching either an episode of the Office or a movie. Well, the puzzle was a fantastic choice to change things up. It was a 750 piece scene of a dockside marina in Amsterdam. A total of seven colorful buildings decorates the picture, in addition to a cafe or two, restaurants, and dozens of people. Needless to say, it took us a while to finish it, and the end product is one that is now beautifully displayed in our home.

While we were picking out the corners and end pieces, it was pretty overwhelming. I mean, that's 750 pieces to go through! The entire top of this puzzle is a blue sky, so that is a lot of thinking we had the right piece, only to find out it wasn't. Hours upon hours of working on that blue sky turned into days. Literally. But, eventually, it was starting to come together! As we took frequent breaks, I would walk by the table and just stand and look at the unfinished picture.

It was beautiful, even unfinished. A work in progress.

I slowly started to piece ideas together, as we were piecing the puzzle together. This puzzle is no different than life. Truly. While we are all unfinished works in progress, we still are beautiful. Its not the finished puzzle that makes it beautiful, it was the work that went into it!

I mean, think about it. When you have put a puzzle together, what happens when you are all done? It either sits there as decoration, is framed and put on a wall (as decoration), or it gets taken apart and put back in the box, just to be stored away and never looked at again.

Every day of our life is a process of finding the right puzzle piece that fits, and placing it where it goes. Sometimes we find a piece that seems to be the perfect fit, just to find out that its not. We then have to remove it and try again. Sometimes we find an individual piece that is beautiful on its own, yet we cannot find where it goes. And sometimes, we are able to build an entire section of our life in no time at all, only to just let it sit there and try to figure out how it fits in the big picture.

No one is a finished puzzle. We are all works in progress, and honestly, who wants to be a finished product, only to sit as decoration or thrown back into a box - never to be touched again?

Find a piece today, and figure out where it goes. Or, put a small inner scene together and take an effort each day to see how it fits into the big picture.

Just remember: All the pieces you need are within your reach, its your job to put them together.

Good luck, and HAVE FUN!!!

Life is Good.

She cautiously steps out of the vehicle, warily gazing upon her new surroundings. Her life has been good – no, great – for the most part, and she anxiously walked about. The house was quiet and was situated on four acres of sprawling green grass. With not another soul in sight, she set out to explore.

A little creek was nestled at the edge of the property, and she dipped first her left foot into then, then the right. Before she knew it she was splashing around and became reminiscent of times past.

The creek was splendid, but the feeling of the grass between her toes made her shiver with delight. She found that the faster she walked, the faster she wanted to walk. Before she knew it, her snow white hair was cascading down her back and behind her, and she was running towards the house.

It was apparently close to meal time, because her food was set out for her when she arrived back at the house. Appreciating such a glorious day, she ate her food, found a nice shady spot of grass under a tree, and laid down for a long afternoon nap.

“Life is good”, she thought.

Not all of us may have the luxury of playing in creek beds, running through acres of green grass, or taking a nap under a tree, but we all have the choice to think, “Life is good”.

Did you wake up this morning? Life is good.

Did you take a hot shower? Life is good.

Did your car start today? Life is good.

Did you receive a hug from a child today? Life is good.

Have you had a cup of coffee today? Life is good.

Do you have loved ones in your life? Life is good.

Turn on some music, draw a bubble bath, light some candles, and pour some wine. Life is good.

Even in times when things are hard… Life is good.

So You Had A Bad Day...

Striving for daily positivity can sometimes be a challenge. Not that it can’t be accomplished, but some days are harder than others. Let’s face it, some days you may be overwhelmed with the amount of things you must get done, coworkers or family members may disappoint or irritate you, or you may just wake up on the bitchy side of bed. I have found that for every negative thought I have, I must counteract it with a positive thought or endeavor.

One of the things that I have found to work well in order to pursue daily positivity includes cleaning. I know that sounds a little obsessive compulsive (and it quite possibly could be!), but a little hard work scrubbing your bathtub allows your hands to be busy, mind be distracted, and the instant gratification of a clean tub helps too!

Another thing that I have found to help the mind stay positive is exercise. I have noticed in my personal life that when I have had a stressful or overly-busy day that an hour of yoga will give me a calm energy for the rest of the night. Not only will exercise release endorphins (a natural chemical in your body that reduces stress and tension) but the long term effect of muscle strengthening paired with flexibility is a positive choice in the right direction!

Being creative is another avenue I travel in having an “off” day. Rearrange a piece of furniture, paint a piece of pottery, choreograph a dance in your living room, or go take some pictures. Using the right side of the brain will help you to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal communication skills, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

Use your time wisely, my friends! Remember that no one will make you happy – that is YOUR job! Take time out for yourself, and keep yourself healthy by instituting positive thinking in every aspect of your life; and don’t give up!

"Artistic Tuesday"

One of the things I love about my husband is that when he says he is going to do something, he does it. That may seem to be a trivial, minute observation or cause to love someone, but in this day and age that is something to be proud of. So many people say they are going to do something and then it never gets done.

John has deemed Tuesday to be "Artistic Tuesday". His goal is to express himself in a creative way on Tuesdays. Not that the other six days of the week are to be artistically neglected, but Tuesday is his day off and as far as goals go, consciously making an effort to let your creative juices take control is what he has set out to do. Today is Tuesday. He went on a photographic adventure in the park and then came home to refurbish an old cabinet that is now loudly and proudly displayed in my kitchen.



Tuesday is also piano lesson day. I teach an eight year old every Tuesday evening, and every Tuesday evening I am amazed at the progress she has made since her last lesson. As a somewhat vocal piano teacher I have come into contact with all sorts of people who express a sentiment of "I wish I knew how to play the piano". My response is very simply, "you can".

If there is something you wish to do, do it.

Honestly, it is as simple as that.

If you are sitting at your computer, I am assuming that your fingers work. If you are reading this, I am assuming that you know your alphabet. By drawing a simple logical conclusion based off the previous two assumptions then I am also assuming you can count. Those basic necessities are all you need to learn how to play piano.

What do you wish to do? Take a moment and think of what is holding you back. Is it fear of the unknown or of failure? Is it time? There are hundreds- no, thousands- of excuses for every wish that you wish to come true. It will not happen on its own. Make your mind up to do something and do it.

I wish you passion, drive, focus and commitment to your next adventure!

Coffee, Computers and Keys

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and recently baked doughnuts fills my nostrils. I hear a bell chime and the door opens. A young couple, probably in their mid-thirties, walk in laughing. From my place in the corner I doubt they see me, but I have an unassuming and incredible visual of them.

Observing from the sidelines, the love they have for each other is very apparent. The laughter, the looks, and the life that exudes from both of them fill the small café. I smile and continue to work on my computer. Again, the smell of coffee fills the room.

"Whipped cream on your mocha, today?”

“Yes, please!” she responds.

The taller of the two starts walking around the café and observing the different pieces of art on the walls.

Reds and yellows and oranges fill a blank canvas to create the enamoring silhouette of a city at sunset. Blues and blacks and whites create an abstract painting of squares, yet always make me think of flowers.

I take a bite of my apple fritter, thankful it's the winter. Washing it down with my peppermint mocha latte (again, thankful it’s the winter) I watch the blonde meander towards the black piano placed inconspicuously in the back of the café.

Pressing a few of the keys, her eyes light up.

“Can I play this?” she asks the owner of the café.

“Of course, that’s why it’s there!” he responds.

She sits down at the professional upright and begins to play a soft ballad. I don’t recognize the song but it is beautiful. When she is done she just sits there with her hands in her lap, looking down at the keys. I realize that there is no smile, only tears.

Quietly observing the pair while appearing intensely consumed with my computer, I hear the taller of the two softly say “Mom loved to hear you play.” After a moment of silence they walk out the door together, the blonde’s head on the taller one’s shoulder. The bell chimes again and they are gone.

Pay attention to your surroundings, my friends! There is always a being that needs a hug, someone that could desperately use an encouraging word, a friend that needs honest advice, or an acquaintance that needs a gentle push to do something that scares them. It is our responsibility as citizens of humankind to help one another. It is our duty as residents of a common earth to demonstrate love towards one another.

“Do one thing that scares you every day.”

 –Eleanor Roosevelt