Friday 17 May 2013

May 17, 2013 Chautauqua


From the Editor's Computer 
 
Putting puzzles together requires a fixed goal, and if a single piece of the puzzle is missing, you aren't able to succeed.  On the other hand, making a quilt is an open-ended process in which you can quickly change direction based upon the pieces you have on hand.  And no matter what materials you are given, you are able to complete the quilt...There are many people who are blinded by the challenges they face, believing that they don't have all the pieces they need to complete their "puzzle."  They are unable to see the endless opportunities in their midst. - Tina Seelig

   In the past when people asked me how I put the paper together, I answered that it was like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.  However, as per the quote above, it really is more like putting a quilt together.  

   The many pieces can go fit in virtually any spot.  While I have a basic framework, I’m often required to change direction based on what pieces I’m given.  Sometimes the item I plan as the focal point ends up in a different spot, or eliminated all together.  Just when I think I have it all laid out, I sometimes find out that I’m short a piece or more and then I scramble to find something to fill that spot.

   Our lives too are like piecing together a quilt.  While we may think that we have a certain complex pattern in mind, often we are piecing together something that resembles a colourful rag quilt.

   A piece of friendship here made add some much needed colour to our quilts.  Or we may find we have to remove a dark frayed piece of an activity that no longer excites us, or takes up too much of our time.  We may think we have the borders of our lives in place, only to find out that we’re coming up short and must search through the remnants for a scrap or two that will fit the bill and help us out.

   The best part of piecing and stitching the quilt of your life together is that you are not confined to any one pattern, piece, or colour scheme if it doesn't fit your concept of how your quilt should look.  You are able to pick and choose the pieces of your quilt, and create new patterns and colour combinations at will if you desire. 

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nAy28Ff_Ls4nhgdjtMd2C2Xkkr4hwNvZ/view?usp=sharing

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