How to Clarify Your Life Picture

I used to think of my life as a picture on a puzzle box. I lived foolishly, thinking life experiences alone would clarify the picture.

So, I lived recklessly, thinking the picture on the cover of the box would magically come to me. I partied and played with people, expecting other people to provide the pieces of the puzzle of my life, and thinking they would help me complete the picture.

Lost Puzzle Pieces

Then, the effects of depression overcame me, and it felt as if I had dropped the puzzle, hopelessly scattering the pieces to be permanently lost. My belief became one of settling for what I could make of the pieces that remained as if there was no possibility of recapturing the picture on the box.

As if it was the only picture allowed for me.

The only label of definition.

The only hope of worth.

Then, when I finally began to look outside of myself, I discovered there were many people who had lost pieces to their puzzle, as well, and they felt the same way about the opportunities that remained for them.

I also heard about some who had scattered puzzles as well, but instead of settling for what remained, discovered what they had lost, found clarity to rebuild what was lost.

Ability to Rebuild

These people did not live like they were broken and faulty, but instead, understood they had the ability to rebuild and start over

without waiting for permission,

without needing the constant oversight of others,

without waiting for a sign to begin.

They just did!

Some of these people rebuilt their life by remanufacturing the puzzle pieces to regain the picture on the box. Others adapted the picture on the box to what they had possessed, never turning back to complain about the missing pieces.

Throw Out the Box

Finally, there were others who threw out the box completely and made their own picture. They did not care about what they had in the past and were thankful for what they had right now, which enabled their potential because they were unfettered by the envy of the past. Furthermore, they didn’t have to be constrained by the box they were given, as it was a mold they had little interest in fitting.

Each group has a benefit. Which one will you embrace?

You see, when Pat Benatar says, “Whatever you deny or embrace, for worse or for better,” she is talking about a principle of choice.

Clarify Your Life Picture

You encourage some practices and shun others. They become limiting beliefs or learning practices. But to become the “you” that you want to be, you’re going to have to enjoy the process of denying or embracing the choices in your life.

How will you solve the puzzle?