Jigsee® - Can you find the message inside?
Throughout my years working in education, pastoral care and being a mum, I have been prompted by various people to write about my experiences and insights. I have been lucky enough to receive advice from truly amazing people and in turn have been privileged to be able to support those who need a listening ear. Working in chaplaincy has given me an insight into how we all strive to be loved and accepted. We all matter. The birth of Jigsee ® and my writing or ramblings as you may see it in this blog, is a culmination of these thoughts and experiences!
Childs play!
The philosopher Aristotle once said that educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. Creating an environment where children believe in themselves is really important to me. As a mother and a teacher, I am aware of the increased challenges many of us face today and I strive to help build confidence, resilience and positivity in any way I can. Increased usage of social media and screen time can really influence how we see ourselves in the world and can shape how young people think and act. It can be a source of anxiety and stress at times and competing for real time and attention with kids which can be a challenge. However, I am certainly not one to give up on this pursuit!
Childrens wellbeing can be nourished by different activities such as: e.g., breathing exercises, journaling, mindfulness puzzles e.g., Jigsaws. I have found these tools useful through the years. The benefits of Jigsaws require attention and focus that engages the person in something other than their thoughts. I placed an ordinary jigsaw in my office in school and invited both students and staff to place a piece if they wished. To my surprise it got more attention than I had anticipated and became a talking point! It provided us with an opportunity to be social and created a point of contact and engagement with anyone that came in to see me. Some senior students stayed at the jigsaw long after the job they were sent to do was finished! They vowed to find the next piece and a visible sense of satisfaction with themselves was seen when they did. They said they had forgotten how relaxing and challenging a good jigsaw could be! It triggered memories of earlier childhood and all they had to think about at that age was the next piece and nothing else! They reported feeling surprised that a jigsaw still had some appeal. This initial project got me thinking about the wellbeing benefits of puzzles for all.
The story of Jigsee®
I was looking for a puzzle for my own daughter with the aim of limiting her screen time and also boosting her self-confidence. While mindful products were available, I had imagined a different type of product. I wanted a puzzle that excites, challenges and affirms the person completing it. I also wanted people to see their own potential and with a play on the word jigsaw, Jigsee® was born!
After the first Jigsee® was made from twistables and cardboard at my kitchen table, it was said to me by my children that I needed to make these available for every child. The reason… so they feel special. This is what Jigsee® is about and this is why Jigsee® was created. After numerous focus groups with schools and families, I listened to what the adults were saying also. What I heard loud and clear was that they wanted to have information on how to start a conversation around positive thinking with their child. The bookmark was created for this! The suggestions on the bookmark are based on my experience working with children, parents and educators and can be used to generate conversations around wellbeing and happiness. It emerged that both the adults and children took on board the thoughts given on the bookmark and felt good in doing so! What initially was created for kids soon appealed to adults too. The humble jigsaw has a lot to teach us about ourselves and there is a growing interest in returning to some traditional tangible fun. Jigsee® is fun and has a special message inside which can bring a little happiness to us!
My vision
To see someone smile lifts my soul. Helping people to discover their joy and encouraging others to see the potential in themselves is what makes me happy. At times we can be sad, lonely and we may struggle to put on a brave face. Insecurity and self- doubt can challenge us all and add to the stresses of life. However, despite this I like to be positive and try to see the bright side of life. I have realised in my own journey that I need to nourish this. It makes me happy! I have discovered through the years that finding this message of hope and sense of self is a journey we are all on. There are some people in my life that are truly inspiring and encouraging. They are the people who cheer you on and give a helping hand and help you realise your dreams! Surrounding myself with people who strive to see the goodness in life is important. It doesn’t mean that we and those around us need to be happy all the time, yet having fun, staying positive in trying times and developing resilience is vital for our wellbeing.
Here's a thought….
Everyone deserves happiness and sometimes we can all too easily loose our way in how to be happy. Curiosity and rediscovering life can start with deciding that you want to find that joy again. Starting is the hardest part. To make that phone call, join that club, learn that song, painting that picture, building that masterpiece…..all start with a decision to begin. Jigsee® is the result of my own rediscovery and it is the start of the big dream that I wish for everyone which is to find that special message inside!