I love to do puzzles. I like word puzzle (yes, I do Wordle and Jumble every day), brain teasers, and especially jigsaw puzzles. I have even made various forms of the word, “puzzle,” as part of my vocabulary. “I am puzzled. I puzzle, I’m puzzling, etc.” However, it amazes me not everyone shares my enthusiasm for the world of puzzles. For example, my husband who is a major problem-solver in life, does not have a love of or for puzzles. He can actually walk right by a jigsaw puzzle that is nearly complete without even hesitating to insert the last pieces for completing the masterpiece. I once thought it was sheer willpower not to mess with someone else’s creation, but I have come to realize he is simply not interested. Totally beyond my comprehension…….
Perhaps the reason I enjoy puzzling is in a way a metaphor for my life. It bothers me when things are not all well in my world, physically and mentally. I am not happy with chaos. It unsettles me and I have the need to “put the pieces together” and make it whole again. A countertop that is cluttered is like an unsolved jumble. All of the items are met to be in the kitchen, but they are not where they are suppose to be. I realize that this may be a form of OCD, but in most instances, this trait has served me well. I finish projects, maintain an orderly desk, and keep commitments.
One of the most challenging puzzles I have had to cope with is living with Parkinson’s Disease. It is a chronic, degenerative disease that has no cure. How do I solve a puzzle with no solution? Well, I started to solve it by first realizing I could not solve it, but I could treat it piece by piece. By breaking down the overwhelming condition into smaller aspects I have been able to deal with the disease better. There are a number of pieces I do have control over, such as, taking medication, exercising, educating myself and recently undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Unlike most puzzles that allow me to experience the satisfaction of completing it, Parkinson’s is more akin to starting a new puzzle daily and finding the right pieces that fit that day. Remarkably, I have discovered that just using this piece by piece approach helps me to cope with many of life challenges and to truly find peace .
