Diversity in a Puzzle

I wrote a post the other day about how we need to start thinking about the world as a jigsaw puzzle. I haven't stopped thinking about it since. There are some holes in my idea that I want to clear up.

Diversity is a real treasure in this world. It is something that needs to be celebrated. I have an unbelievable gift in that I live in the worlds most multicultural city on the planet. Every day I go to school and my classmates represent the diversity that exists from all over the world. It is a true blessing to be a participant in this kind of society. The jigsaw puzzle also celebrates diversity. Every piece of the puzzle is different. No two alike in shape or in the part of the picture they fulfill. Every piece exists independently from the other pieces but they still coexist and work together for the greater good. The puzzle is accepting of pieces of all shapes, sizes, and colors because that is what makes the puzzle whole. The puzzle exists because of diversity and for diversity.

Every person also has the right to choose their own destiny. There is, I believe, a path on which we travel. However, the path is one we choose. I do believe that we have an innate connection with something and I call it purpose. We all have a purpose in this world - some more glorified than others - but we all have a place in the world. This purpose is what we all search for. Some people spend a lifetime trying to live but they lack the awareness to live a life with and on purpose. We choose which part of the puzzle we are but we are connected to a part of the puzzle. We are not forced into a predetermined size or shape, but we connect with a certain piece. When we find our place in the puzzle, the place we are meant to inhabit, then we exist with purpose and we allow others to follow suit. We represent our purpose and in doing so help others find their purpose. Our passion and belief in our purpose impacts others.

Interconnectedness. Jigsaw puzzle. Enough said? We are all interconnected. We exist in connection with one another. My decisions in life affect the people around me. It is that simple. We must all learn to understand that every action we make has repercussions. Every action has an equal reaction. If I choose to drive a car to school then the effect that has across the world is felt. The family that lives on an yet-to-be-discovered oil patch is in danger of losing their home because the land they live on continues to become more valuable to an oil company. The car manufacturer who employs workers around the world, from the mining that is necessary to produce the parts. It also has huge environmental implications as the car creates biproducts that risk the future of our planet for generations of people to come. A jigsaw puzzle exists with the knowledge that interconnectedness plays an important role. The puzzle is accomplished because of the interconnectedness of its pieces.

The more I think about the world like a jigsaw puzzle the more I think it is a good metaphore. What do you think?

Do You Believe?

It is the fundamental question that you must ask yourself: Do you believe the world can change? OR let me rephrase that: Do you believe YOU can change the world? If you answered no to either phrasing then reading anything I write will be of little use. It is essential for you to believe in both the ability of yourself to create change and the ability of the world to accept change. If you don't believe in either then your cynicism is in the wrong place. This space is reserved for the believers: the ones who wake up every morning ready to make an impact; they may not yet be confident enough to take on the challenge but they genuinely believe that change is possible; they go to sleep at the end of a long day of thinking about what they could do to make the world a better place and they have a sense of optimism that tomorrow may be the day for those ideas to take shape. You need to believe for yourself and the world needs people to believe in it.