I'm sitting at my kitchen table with a jigsaw puzzle, partially completed, a little like my own life. The puzzle bit I mean.

I have begun to derive a bizarre satisfaction from resolving jigsaws. A friend gifted me one a few years ago. Inwardly I was horrified that she thought

a) I had time to spare to sit down to do a jigsaw and

b) perhaps I was getting on a bit.

As I wrestled with the idea of my 60 something year old self actually segueing into the pastime of someone who I believed had nothing better to do, the jigsaw puzzle remained unopened on the sideboard. 

Eventually of course, curiosity got the better of me and I spent (lost?) several hours doing the jigsaw that my friend had given me. O my word what a revelation!

The process, a bit like life, is to categorise the important pieces (corners and edges) and the rest will follow. Referencing the image of the finished piece on the box lid, I am drawn to look again and again, noticing fine details that my first glance had missed. This accidental mindfulness practice brings with it a deep sense of satisfaction and pleasure that I had not expected, so the unexpected gift of discovering jigsaws is now a welcome guest in my life.

Do you have a hobby that brings you satisfaction?

Helen

A Moodscope member