I admit there are times I am puzzled. I am puzzled when friends tell me walk away and never tell me why. I’ve had that happen within the past few years. A riding buddy just up and quit. No communication. No nothing.
I am sometimes puzzled why people do what they do (never me!) 🙂 At times I am simply left flabbergasted.
I am also sometimes puzzled how God knows a need and answers it in a most unsuspecting way. (He very recently did that in spades).
I am also puzzled sometimes while I am doing my jigsaw puzzles. That, of course, is not as earth-shattering as the previous ones. Just last night (Monday) I put the finishing touches on a puzzle. My next puzzle is this one. (And no I didn’t pay that much for it. I’m grateful for gift cards though!). Lots of same color pieces.
Sometimes I get puzzled by all the same colors. I did with this last one. When that happens the best thing I can do is walk away and find something else to do. It is amazing what I see when I walk back to the table. Sometimes, as what happened with this latest, is my mind devises an approach to try. I did and it worked. It got me out of the funk I was in and I began seeing the puzzle differently. I saw the nuances of colors. It got me out of the “this must go here” rut.
I hope you can see where I’m going with this. Sometimes it is totally necessary to pull away and find time alone. Or at least doing something which clears the mind and heart. Very often a step back is the best thing to do. It often leads to clearer vision and direction.
Yeah… A step back. Definitely need tbe view change. The struggle is fogginess. Can’t see far in any direction. Clarity illudes. And I sense sometimes that a lack of action has me stuck in a comfort zone rut.
You hit on the word Kari: fogginess. Step back and look again.
Fogginess happens when there’s too much extra, I think. So, the answer to simplifying, what happens when we continue to step back until we can see, is a simplified life. I seem to return to that answer most of the time when I’m in a fog.
You are always spot on with how you relate the everyday with the spiritual, Bill. This is so true (both in life AND in puzzles!)
Thanks for the kind words Pam. Wish I was always that “on.” 🙂
Stepping back from something almost always brings me clarity in a situation. I’m not a big puzzle person, but I really admire folks like you, Bill, who can tackle such overwhelming (to me) projects.
Blessings!
Oh but Martha…you have written several books; I have not. That seems overwhelming to me. Puzzles not so much.
I definitely could use some of that pull away time.
Hi Bill! I have much the same experience when I ‘walk away’ from a crossword puzzle. I have no idea what the clue means. Yet somehow, after time, I can walk back and see it right away.
I think sometimes my own emotions and circumstances cloud my vision. And not just with crosswords! Rest is so important. We don’t see it as a benefit, but it truly is.
Blessings,
Ceil
It takes time to come up with the wisdom to let things ferment. It’s amazing how much different things can look from a perspective of patience. Good call, Bill.
Agree 100 percent with the point of your post. Since I have got older I crave alone time. We are usually with people due to our ministry, church, friends and now we live with our son and family. those Grandchildren love to run into our personal living room and love on us. and we love it too, but we are teaching them to respect our time. We put a little bell like they use in hotels, store to summon the person in charge, they ring it and if we want them to come in we say , come. If we are doing business related to our ministry and even just needing some alone time, we say, we are busy come back later. It’s been fun to have this system and it works, sometimes, ha. Good post Bill
It is remarkable what a little time away can produce. We can get so fixated on “one way” and not see what’s right in front of us. Good thoughts, Bill! Thank you.
I just launched a 7 week STRETCH challenge on my blog, and the first week is all about taking time to “still yourself”. Unforunately, too any of us don’t practice this discipline.