This week – I have just completed a jigsaw puzzle that I had been given for Christmas – and it was a – ‘wasgij’ – puzzle – where the picture on the box is not the picture that you will end up creating.

I do love them – as they always prove a challenge – and this one certainly did that – making it almost impossible to guess what the final picture was by simply looking at the box – in fact – it was like doing the puzzle blindfold!

As I was comparing the finished picture to the picture on the box – I realised that – so often in life – it doesn’t end up the way you had imagined it would – “life doesn’t always look the same as you imagined. “

Some of the things that seemed certain in my life have turned out very differently – a lot of what I thought about life has changed – the picture I am creating – is different from the picture that I began with.

I love how this quote puts it – “Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought life would be like – and learn to find joy in the story you are actually living.”

I think that is very wise – for it can be so tempting – to try to – ‘stick with the picture’ – to make life ‘fit’ the picture of what I have always – known – seen – or even – believed – when there is so much joy to be found in the reality of the life I am actually living.

It has been necessary though – to ‘let go’ of that original ‘picture – to follow this advice – “Just let go – let go of how you thought your life should be – and embrace the life that is trying to work it’s way into your consciousness.”

Life often unfolds in unexpected ways – teaching us that what we need – is often different from what we thought we wanted – and that can be both ‘scary’ – and exciting.

It can take courage to – look away from the picture – as it were – and trust that the ‘pieces’ will come together – creating a different – but beautiful picture.

To quote – “You’re not supposed to have it all figured out – the beauty of life – is watching yourself grow into someone you never imagined you’d become.”

The process of course can be hard – a challenge – just like the puzzle I was doing – not knowing the outcome can be difficult too – and – “This might not be the life you’ve planned – but there is beauty unfolding in what remains – even if it’s hard – even if it’s not fair – even if it’s just so different from what you imagined.”

These last few years have taught me how true this is – as the picture of my life – as I saw it then – has turned out to be so different.

But – it’s not without it’s beauty – and I am always eager to see how the ‘picture’ develops – as – piece by piece it reveals itself to me.

Blessings – Lois