When you give a child a puzzle, what’s their greatest joy? For a young one, it’s the final picture, the beautiful artwork the jigsaw pieces create. It doesn’t matter if the puzzle is 8 pieces or 24; it’s the final product they most enjoy. This is a joy that doesn’t stay within us as the years go by. Rather, we tend to go for the more challenging ones, with 500 pieces, and only upon accomplishing those are we convinced that the final picture is beautiful and was worth the time it took to put together. It’s the challenge that drives us. But must it always be this way, in every situation? Why is it that challenges and obstacles are more attractive than gifts and blessings? Why can’t things that come easy be just as beautiful? In the case of people, most of us tend to like, and actually prefer, the relationships that are most difficult and challenging rather than the ones that flow nicely and just happen to fit. A lot of natural and amiable connections are often seen as too “easy” and thus are not as appreciated. But in my opinion, this is a misguided way of thinking. We should recognize effortless connections as gifts and realize that there really are just beautiful and wonderful people out there that fit well with us. And when those others come into our lives, you know the ones who give us the biggest headaches and pose the greatest challenges, they probably cause such stress and difficulty because they simply shouldn’t be around. We really do ignore red flags sometimes, and mistake them for these “challenges” we so highly value. It is said that, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” But honestly, must we always try to modify what’s given to us, rather than enjoy it for what it naturally is? Take things and people for what they are. Or don’t take them for that matter, go ahead and move on to something else. The point is that we should not put all of our focus into trying to change anyone or anything just to fit to our liking. The only decisions we should be making in that aspect is whether to accept or move on from what’s in front of us, depending on how well they fit with who we are, and making the appropriate changes if necessary. Because if there is one thing I’ve learned, is that you can never change someone, or a situation for that matter. People are who they are, and things just happen. Also, striving for more is healthy, yes, it keeps us going in life. But when our wants and desires overpower the present and what we have right now, our sights can be blurred. This is a trial I’ve been faced with. I always want more, and it triggers the thought that what I have at the moment never seems to be enough, and this saddens me. I shouldn’t have to settle for less than what I feel I deserve, but I shouldn’t be blind to my blessings either. With how much I’ve been through, the cards that I’ve been dealt, I should be thanking my lucky stars I am where I am today and have what I do. I should take a look around and really digest what’s around me, who’s around me. If I keep living in the future and focusing on what I hope will happen, will I ever be present, in fact, for the present? I think the trick is to maintain a balance between all tenses. Remember what’s happened in the past, live in the present, but plan for the future. And while going through the tenses of time, grasp who we are and live in the most honest way. Not by what we conclude society wants, but by who we are and what our insides tell us. Also, to remember to keep in mind that small and simple things can be just as beautiful as more complex ones. A puzzle of a glowing crimson heart made up of 4 pieces is just as full of love and beauty, and is as much a complete heart, as one made of 100.
