The puzzle
Sometimes I see life like a puzzle to be solved, but one that simply cannot be solved. Life doesn't care about our plans and, try as we might, it always seems to confound us; Sometimes we get it right but then, sure enough, along comes something else that jumbles it all again.
Faith and I are good at determining a path forward for ourselves; We don't strategise every single thing however have a financial plan, and plans within the plan, which we hope will carry us through life providing a roof over our heads, security, safety and some enjoyment along the way.
Up until this year we felt we were well on-track...The puzzle seemed less puzzling until March 2020 then...Well you know...COVID-19.
Our well-planned-out, ordered life became a jumble...A jumble with the lights off in fact! What I mean is that forward-planning now is like trying to solve a puzzle in the dark; Who knows what will happen next and what impact it will have?
Faith and I work to our amended plan though, and try to stay flexible and ready to pivot to a new direction if, and when, required. We've also made a lot of changes in our lives through necessity and have determined a worse case scenario and have planned around it. We have worked hard to mitigate as many risks as possible.
Last night I told Faith about a couple of hive-users who have had a very challenging year: Changes in job and financial situations, pressures through pandemic-restrictions and a tragic accident that befell their child. She fell on a glass and damaged her hand terribly; It required major surgery and, of course, that costs money.
I'm pleased to say things are improving for them, that their child is ok and that they are moving forward slowly, but surely forward. They're working out their own puzzle I suppose you could say and power to them for digging deep and getting things done!
My wife was really touched by the story and as I was relating it I could see she was very contemplative. We chatted and that conversation turned to one about how fortunate we really are, Faith and I, despite our own troubles.
You see, if we look at our situation in isolation it looks bad; Both of us have severely reduced incomes and have had to make a lot of changes. It has affected our long-term plans and goals negatively and brought about a lot of uncertainty and stress.
But when we take stock, compare against other people's situations, things don't look so bad. It's all relative I guess of course and specific to the individual and their situation.
I would say I'm a fairly good puzzle-solver...I mean life-problem-solver, not Rubiks cubes; I'm terrible at those. Faith and I are good at adapting and overcoming adversity also but this year...I don't know y'all, it's been a tough one. Don't you think? Moving forward is a little puzzling too as it's really unclear about what may come. I believe those trying to predict it are simply trying to solve puzzles in the dark...And that's not always a good way to do it.
I do not believe we have seen the true impact of the pandemic from an economic perspective yet; I think there are tough times ahead and it will not be easy for many. I also see a lot of people failing to solve their puzzle; Moving forward in the same way as always might go badly for many people and, even if a person feels the situation has not affected them, I think now is the time for affirmative action otherwise it could be a little too late. I don't know, I'm no expert I guess...Just a person trying to solve my puzzle.
How about you? How's your puzzle looking these days? If it looks anything like that Ribiks cube pictured above it might be time to knuckle down and get to work on it. Tell me about it in the comments below...Call me negative, alarmist, pragmatic, inspired or whatever; Just feel free to comment if you like, I would love to hear your perspective.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
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