Poem-Life is a Puzzle -Response to Brenda Arledge’s Word Prompt Week 50

Author:
VIDYA D SAGAR
Updated date:
Feb 15, 2022

I love poetry. I am a lifestyle enthusiast and like to write articles and poems on lifestyle changes that benefit people.

Word Prompts Help Creativity ~ Week 50-Puzzle

Our dear friend Brenda faced a terrible tragedy a few days back. Her partner Ron, who was battling cancer, lost the battle. He passed on. The sad news devastated us. My heart went out to Brenda. Even during this stressful time, Brenda continued her good work and gave us the new prompt. This article and the poems are for my dear friend Brenda. I pray to God to give her the strength to bear the loss and heal from the grief. After giving us the tragic news, she encouraged us to continue the word prompt challenge and though she needs time to grieve, and would take a few days off and not publish anything, she said that she would read our responses whenever she got the time. I think that is very kind and noble of her.

Each of us is a piece of the puzzle and each of us helps to set in place other important pieces.

— Neil L Andersen

Puzzles Help During a Crisis

Puzzles are popular, more so at a time of global crisis like the pandemic. This is because it creates a community of participants across the world. In a climate of isolation and loneliness, these games provide emotional comfort and solidarity. As these puzzles are based on rules and logic, solving these them is very challenging. We strive and persist to solve them. This provides a sort of reassurance to us that nothing is random in the universe, everything is governed by rules and so there is also a solution for every affliction like the pandemic. Whatever we may face, we have the ability to face and overcome it.

During this pandemic, people have taken more and more to solving puzzles to help them take their minds off the fear and insecurity due to the virus. It has encouraged many employers to include puzzles in the work schedules to avoid stress and burnout for the employees and increase productivity.

Puzzles and our Brain

Whenever sleep evades me, I listen to videos and podcasts from neuroscientists on brain health, lifestyle and thought processes that help protect brain health. Brain being the most important organ of our body which regulates and controls every other function in the body, needs more of our attention. We need to listen to it when it tries to tell us something. From the many videos and podcasts that I have seen and heard; I have learnt one thing. That it is very important to keep the mind active, learn new things, take up new challenges regularly to keep the brain healthy and functioning. It has now been scientifically proved that solving puzzles help keep the brain active and healthy. The crossword puzzle is my favorite. So, I have made it a habit to solve the crossword puzzle every day. And when I get all the words correct, my joy knows no bounds.

Life is a Puzzle

When we come to think of it, life is also like a puzzle. Till we get all the pieces right, we keep struggling, facing difficulties and challenges. When we see the truth, we get it all together and it gets easy to go on. Only when we choose the right pieces, are we able to complete the puzzle. Likewise in life, the right decisions at the right time will lead to success. The secret is not to give up but keep trying to fit the pieces together till the perfect picture is formed. The belief that the creator will nurture and protect us will give us the strength to face any situation in life. Knowing that the almighty has a greater plan or a bigger picture in mind gives us the confidence to face the challenges and solve our problems. My poem is based on this concept.

We hold a single piece, that’s all we can see, while God is busy working the entire puzzle together to create a beautiful masterpiece

— Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Poem-Life is a Puzzle -Response to Brenda Arledge’s Word Prompt Week 50

Many times, I feel puzzled by life

Wondering why it has to be filled

With so many difficulties and challenges

Unexpected crisis that leaves me stunned.

Puzzled why the almighty seems

Not to hear my pleas of despair

And seems to have abandoned me

Left me to fight these battles on my own.

When I tried to commune with God

Reflecting on all the changes in my life

I realized he had a bigger plan in mind

To make me stronger and refined.

Recognizing the divine plan

Appreciating the greater good

Keeping my focus on the truth

And trust in him who made me.

I realized that these hard times are just

Pieces of the puzzle of life

that take time to be put together

To form a perfect work of art.

I know he will cherish me and

Help me through the trials of life

And not let my tears go to waste

I just need to have trust in his grace.

I am sure he will fit every piece together

Like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle

He will reveal his loving plan for my living

And bring solace to my weary being.

Benefits of Solving Puzzles

Puzzles, apart from improving memory, concentration and cognitive functions, are also known to relieve anxiety and stress and improve mental wellbeing. Some puzzles that involve interaction between people helps in improving socializing skills. It promotes clarity of thought and helps in addressing problems in critical situations. Solving puzzles increases dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Dopamine is known to improve moods and feelings of optimism and motivation. It is commonly known as the brain’s reward and pleasure system. It boosts self-confidence and problem-solving ability, especially in children.

So here is another short poem on the benefits of puzzle games for children.