I have noticed that I am being drawn with greater regularity to writing about releasing fear, owning all parts of our journey, and learning to love ourselves as perfectly imperfect people. It’s amusing to me that I ever questioned my focus given that I wrote the post below years ago. This was the first blog entry I ever created. So much has happened since I wrote these words, yet the message remains.
***
When you look at yourself, what do you see? Does it all make sense to you, and do you like every part of that picture? When I look deep within, I sometimes find that I have questions. I see parts that are beautiful, bright and fun. I see elements of joy, moments of unshakeable faith, and acts of kindness that make me smile. I love these pieces of me. But then I notice other parts that don’t appear to continue that wonderful trend. There are remnants of doubt, frustration and sometimes anger. At times, there are places that seem dark and cold. I see colors that clash and mismatched patterns.
How do these fit into the same package? I cannot fathom how this mix of light patches and dark patches will possibly come together to become something worth keeping and definitely can’t see them fitting together to become something spectacular.
But then I remember the one thing that matters more than anything else. I am not the creator of the artwork being molded. While I strongly believe that I have creative input via free will and the choices this allows me to make, I know that it is not my hand that guides the design of my soul.
I have spent so much time trying to unbreak and fix those parts that I don’t understand, don’t want to recognize, and don’t want to be – but these are part of me and part of my design. I may not understand the dark patches, but I don’t think that my comprehension is required on this journey. Maybe the moments of darkness act as contrasts to allow the beautiful light parts to really shine.
I believe that it is time to let go of the idea that we are broken and need to be fixed. The light and the dark fragments come together to form a masterpiece of God’s creation. When I look at myself with this in mind, I’m not sure how it could get any more awesome and spectacular than that. And that’s what I see when at look at you, too.
If we want to add to the creative mix, let’s use that wonderful free will to make choices that make us feel light and wonderful. Maybe we can go with choices that help others feel the same way, too. In the meantime, let’s embrace all the colors, all the moments and all the blessings because we are patchwork souls with a heavenly designer.
Momentum of Joy 
Mar 21, 2012 @ 20:06:58
Nice to meet you Joanna! I also enjoyed your post “relate with JOY”. I truly believe that ALL is good, no matter how we perceive it at the moment, and do my best in my own life to live joyfully and in gratitude. Faith plays a big part in this as well, obviously. And when working with my clients, this is one of the greatest tools I can teach them.
much love light and JOY
Mar 21, 2012 @ 20:10:45
I am a big fan of your approach as well. It has been so much fun finding other people who get it! Thank you again Jane. You are pretty fabulous. 😉
Jul 22, 2012 @ 13:36:49
Thank you for sharing this…a wonderful piece of literary art to go along with the beautiful picture you included 🙂
Jul 22, 2012 @ 13:48:56
Thanks! I like your rock star stories, too. 😉
Aug 03, 2012 @ 20:44:15
your words are beautiful!
Aug 03, 2012 @ 20:57:19
Oh I love your kind compliment. I truly appreciate that you made me smile. :). Have a lovely weekend!
Aug 08, 2012 @ 17:07:14
Reblogged this on Momentum of Joy and commented:
This is one of the first posts I ever wrote and it is still my favorite. Something about it still speaks to me more than any of the others. I think I just need these words sometimes as reminders of the really big picture. Hope you like it, too. Blessings to you always. Jo 🙂
Aug 08, 2012 @ 17:17:56
Great message, Joanne! I love the photo too! The two work very well together. I can see why this is one of your favorite posts!
Russ
Aug 08, 2012 @ 17:54:53
Ironically I don’t know if I realized that about the corresponding picture until today. Thanks so much for the kind words Russ. How are you feeling? Can I send some good energy your direction??
Aug 08, 2012 @ 17:44:27
oh wow! I wouldn’t compare MY first post! wow wow wow. it certainly spoke to my soul! but then most of the time that is true. I don’t know what I would have done without you and Karen from the first for me. And Dee, I mustn’t forget her. or Joyce. Ya’ll were all so great to me.
Aug 08, 2012 @ 17:55:24
We love you, too, sweet girl!!!! :). And thank you so so much. Hugs!
Aug 08, 2012 @ 18:12:42
Amen to that sister! A great post. Thanks for dusting it off and showing it to us again. 🙂
Aug 08, 2012 @ 19:14:04
Thanks love!!!
Aug 08, 2012 @ 19:24:30
You’re very welcome!
Aug 08, 2012 @ 19:32:16
I guess we are all ‘patchwork’ put together with loving hands…Diane
Aug 08, 2012 @ 20:13:54
I think so and I am thankful to believe that it is an intentional part of our design. :). Hugs!
Aug 09, 2012 @ 09:36:00
As someone that sews/quilts I understand the concept of patchwork and design when speaking of our Heavenly Father. I love how you ended the article: “let’s embrace all the colors, all the moments and all the blessings because we are patchwork souls with a heavenly designer”
It may be my choice of the colors and fabric I use to put together a quilt, like my choices in life, it is ultimately God’s design for us that creates the beautiful masterpiece and it is His beauty in the finished quilt (us). Well said – great article! Blessings – Patty
Aug 09, 2012 @ 16:03:16
Thank you so very much Patty. I would love to have that crafty gene that would allow me to combine little squares of fabric into something wonderful and snuggly. Thankfully it sounds like God added that to your personal pattern! Love it. Take care my lovely friend. 🙂 Joanna
Aug 10, 2012 @ 06:22:11
This is spectacular! I am so glad you reblogged it, although I had best get myself reading through these older posts of yours! Wow. I adore the concept of us all being a thread woven into a wonderful tapestry, or patches in a huge gorgeous and colorful quilt. I am delighted that we are together in this beautiful and loving online family. Big hugs of gratitude to you! Gina
Aug 12, 2012 @ 19:33:33
I love the way every word you write (be it blogging or commenting) is always so jam-packed with love, support and kindness. You are truly an Earth Angel. 🙂
Aug 11, 2012 @ 19:44:13
🙂 You’re fantastic! Thank you…
Oct 11, 2017 @ 23:53:25
Beautiful!!!!! 🙂
Oct 12, 2017 @ 05:48:28
Thank you darling. 😘
Oct 12, 2017 @ 07:57:05
😉😉😉😉😉😊😊😊
Oct 12, 2017 @ 09:55:34
Can you pls look at the latest recipe i just uploaded it for you!!!
Oct 12, 2017 @ 11:13:25
THAT. IS. EPIC!!!!!!
Oct 12, 2017 @ 00:47:50
Yours words were awesome. Thanks for the wonderful share.
Oct 12, 2017 @ 05:47:51
Aw thank you honey. ❤️
Oct 12, 2017 @ 06:18:31
Welcome dear
Oct 12, 2017 @ 10:47:03
Beautiful post! I salute the array of all of the colors that shine in you! ♥
Oct 12, 2017 @ 11:13:42
And you, too, my spectacular darling friend!!
Oct 12, 2017 @ 11:32:09
What an amazing post!!!! This is most certainly a viewpoint that we all need to see our own lives through….I know I will. Thank you for sharing this, and giving inspiration that I can take on my own journey!! God Bless!
Oct 12, 2017 @ 20:46:20
Thank you so much for saying that honey. That comment really made my day. 🤗
Oct 23, 2017 @ 10:58:12
It’s exactly that, embracing all the colours, the light as well as the dark which makes us whole. In Osho’s words, a tree or the grass does not strive to become better, it just is. The minute we accept ourselves, we already are one step towards the divine. Lovely post.
Oct 23, 2017 @ 11:04:07
I love those beautiful words. Osho shared some spectacular wisdom. I adore this comment. Thank you so very much lovebug! 🙂
Dec 22, 2017 @ 06:32:44
And here I am a mere month and a half later today thanking you for your kindness. Clearly portions of this (my) patchwork soul needs some work! Thank you darling friend. You inspire me more than you will ever know. I appreciate your kindness, your encouragement, your bravery, and above all, your true friendship. Much love to you. Joanna
Nov 13, 2017 @ 16:10:54
Another good one, thank you for sharing… how are you?
Dec 20, 2017 @ 06:51:58
Hello darling friend and writer extraordinaire! The question is how are YOU! I want to.hear about how your amazing book has been doing! I have thought about you often and know that you are being bombarded with praise for your brilliant writing. Can you tell that I’m ever so slightly proud of you??? 😉
Dec 20, 2017 @ 08:29:41
You are too kind. It’s going well. I need to finalize a 2018 marketing plan to focus on new sales angles and markets. Reviews are averaging 4.3 on Goodreads and 4.7 on Amazon. So, I look at that as positive! I’m almost done with Father Figure. I truly appreciate everything you have said and done. You are awesome, too.
What’s going on with you post move and settling in? How’s life?
Dec 22, 2017 @ 07:01:06
Did you just say that those reviews are GOOD??? Helloooo – that’s EPIC!!! I’m so very proud of you darling. You are naturally Incredibly clever, but I also am in love with the way you work to make your dreams turn into your reality. I know that I sound like a stuck record, but it’s how I honestly feel.
Post move has been crazy. Lots of good stuff. Lots of rough stuff. At the moment 3 out of 5 of my crew have the flu. I happen to be 1 of the 3 but there’s no rest to be had. I’m still extremely grateful to be here though, so I am very happy about that. 🙂