Life Puzzle
Our minds are a cacophony of sounds that scream constantly of our unworthiness. It isn't sounds we were born with, it is stereophonic infusion that has crept it's way into our being from our earliest recollection of human interaction. Instead of our mind, heart, and soul developing itself through trials, experiences, and love encounters, we are left to become a person others desire us to be. Even though we inhabit a body that God created somewhere along the way we lost the ability to mature into our own being which denies the world of our greatest contribution. We can only become who we were created to be when we learn to release the things that hold us back.
I spoke to a wonderful middle age lady recently that shared her hopes and dreams of the future, yet in that same conversation she also convinced herself that what she was imagining in her mind was impossible because of the hand that life had dealt her. Even though she could still dream it she did not believe it. She was literally broke, tattered, torn, worn, beat down, and hopeless. The mere thought of having great days ahead was an insult to her intelligence. At this phase in life she was accepting where she was with what she had left and was simply riding it out till the end, which she hoped wasn't far off. The dreams she had where in her own words "dreams I'll never see" That isn't an attitude we are born with that is learned behavior. We can't live positive lives with negative thoughts. Yet when I say that many people tell me that it is impossible in this day and age to be positive about anything. My simple response is always this, what you allow in is what will find it's way out. If you spend all your time trying to convince yourself how bad everything is, then you will in fact start believing that lie and convincing others to believe it with you. That silly cycle gets worse because when you encounter people that do not desire to believe in your negativity your cynicism turns to hate and bitterness and all you are left with is broken dreams and a hopeless tomorrow.
That brief conversation led to many of my thoughts about how we pick up the pieces and move on. Life is in fact a puzzle. No two life puzzles are alike. Many of the pieces feature similar shapes, sizes, colors and patterns. The confusion is obvious, when we think we connected the right piece we instead attached one that looked close but in the end distorts the picture beyond recognition.
I use the puzzle metaphor to explain how fragile life is. When we get caught up in fear we stop connecting the pieces of the puzzle which leaves the artistic beauty of our life splintered. I think it is crucial to always work diligently to solve the puzzle even if you connect the wrong pieces. We truly do rob the world, ourselves, and our acquaintances of our greatest contribution when we give in to the world around and simply conform to that which others deem we should be. Never give up on your puzzle. The awe factor comes when we work to bring out the bright hues that connecting the pieces gives us. Don't worry if you get a piece wrong, worry when you stop believing in the beauty of your puzzle.
Most view the world we live now as bad, when the truth is that it is good. The way we see the world isn't the way the world is it is the way we are. Taking that one step further. The way you view yourself isn't who you truly are it is the way others have conditioned you to see who you are. The awesome wonders of life, creation, and people is that everything we do, touch, encounter, participate in creates wisdom that can impact who we are and where we are going in fascinating ways. We just have to believe that every encounter serves a positive purpose in growing who we are.
Are our best days still waiting to be lived? Yes no doubt about it. Why do I say that so emphatically? Because we are God's greatest miracle and within us are the seeds of accomplishment. Collectively we can water the seeds of knowledge and wisdom so it can grow into beauty like the world has never seen. We can learn to appreciate that God created us as unique as the snowflake. We all have something amazing to teach each other because we all know something that no one else knows. When we encourage each other to tap the impossible dreams and make them possible astounding things start to happen. We can't do it though when we relegate ourselves to the prisons of our past. It is time that we believe in who we are. Allow the lessons of yesterday to be the stepping stones for tomorrow. Believe without a shadow of a doubt that you are worthy to accomplish great things. Never ever ever allow anyone to convince you to wait on direction from God because God is waiting on you. God already did his part by giving us the gift of life. Within that gift lies possibilities so grand our minds cannot even imagine it. The only limits we have are the limits we believe. It is time to stop dying and start living. Not only do you deserve to rise to heights you only dreamed of but the world around you deserves your contribution as well. All the amazing inventions we use to make our lives easier pale in comparison to the what is yet to be invented. The only way we can all ever accomplish the awesome breath taking things yet to be discovered is by believing that we are worthy to be part of this great kingdom God created for us. We cannot look with bitterness or hatred on others because they look or act different. We must find the love and beauty that connects us so we can start today to make sure our best days truly do lye ahead. Life is stunning beyond words the moment we choose to live it. It is time to be yourself because everyone else is already taken. Remember a better life is waiting for you to show up.
peace and love
Dale
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