I used to love putting together jigsaw puzzles. Then I found that writing song lyrics and poetry provided many of the same benefits, challenges, and attributes–and I got to share them with more people–so it has been several years since my last jigsaw puzzle. Still I have fond memories of the many hours I spent putting them together, and I agree with what Jacquie Sewell says about them below.
Love,
Russ
EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM A JIGSAW PUZZLE
By Jacquie Sewell (with apologies to Robert Fulghum)
1. Don’t force a fit–if something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.
2. When things aren’t going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.
3. Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.
4. Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.
5. When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see #4).
6. The creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook. Refer to the Creator’s guidebook often.
7. Variety is the spice of life. It’s the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting.
8. Working together with friends and family makes any task fun.
9. Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order.
10. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising.
11. Take time often to celebrate your successes (even little ones).
12. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can’t be rushed.
13. When you finally reach the last piece, don’t be sad. Rejoice in the masterpiece you’ve made and enjoy a well-deserved rest.
Copyright 2001 Jacquie Sewell ( jjsewell416@yahoo.com ). Permission is granted to send this to others, but not for commercial purposes.
today’sTHOT============================
The best way to get ahead is to use the one you’ve got.
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(Source: http://www.mikeysFunnies.com)
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
Great post Russ!! I may have to try my hand at jigsaw puzzles – one can learn an awful lot!
Thank you, Mimi. I found them to be therapeutic and meditative in some ways, mentally stimulating in others, occasionally stress-inducing, and sometimes even boring. When I ran into the last two, I found it best to get up and walk away and come back to it later, as item #2 above suggests.
Russ
This is fantastic! I enjoy puzzles and all the emotions (or lackthereof) they induce, and this list is amazing. Very wise insights indeed 🙂 Thank you, as always, for sharing!
Hugs of gratitude, Gina
I’m glad you liked it, Gina. I must have been reading a couple of your posts when you were reading a couple of mine because as soon as I’d read yours my email popped up with comments from you about mine. :-D!
Russ
Hee hee! We’re tag-team reading-commenting 😀 What fun!
;-D!
Russ
I love this! What an accurate parallel of life!
Thank you for giving feedback to me about it. I’m glad that it resonated with you!
Russ