A partially completed puzzle on the kitchen table caught my eye.

A partially completed puzzle on the kitchen table caught my eye.

My daughter and I were visiting my parents over Thanksgiving.

Days before, they had initiated this project.

But they left it incomplete.

Most of the edges and corners were set, but the interior was a puzzle in itself.

As we worked on the puzzle over the holiday break, I recognized its profound life analogy.

Its 4 corners symbolize my 4 core pillars:

Family.

Friends.

Interests.

Career.

Every decision, from minor daily choices to major life-altering ones, adds a unique piece to my life’s mosaic.

While building the puzzle, sometimes we removed a piece to make space.

Similarly, I’ve had to make challenging decisions to end things.

Closing my first business.

Ending relationships.

Leaving a job.

On the other hand, there were times when the pieces fell into place one after another.

Just like periods of my life where everything seemed to click.

Health.

Wealth.

Happiness.

On occasion, we realized that pieces we thought belonged together didn’t.

Over the years, I’ve attempted to salvage relationships, not meant to be.

The entire family joined in to complete the puzzle during our Thanksgiving visit.

It was fun.

Just as in life, celebrating milestones with loved ones adds meaning to the journey.

Life, like a puzzle, is an enigma.

We may think we know what the final picture should look like.

But in reality, we don’t.

My vision for life 20 years ago is worlds apart from what it is today.

I suspect it will continue to evolve.

I hold numerous pieces in this grand life puzzle.

I will continue building, one piece at a time, uncertain of their ultimate arrangement.

That’s perfectly fine.

With patience, persistence, and the support of others, clarity will emerge.

Life isn’t a puzzle to be solved.

It’s an adventure to be savored.