Glad for Sudoku.
A little aside about me...I can be bright in some areas of my life, but have always, always, always felt dumb with regard to mathematics and logical reasoning. My grad school entrance exams didn't help this feeling, when essentially, they noted that my analytical skills were in the snot-for-brains category (if you know me, you know I edited myself--i'm in ugly language recovery). However, somehow I muddled through, and got into grad school for speech pathology. And guess what? As a speech therapist I had to work with folks who had lost much of their analytical thought, reasoning, problem solving and pathfinding skills due to a neurological event (e.g. traumatic brain njury, stroke, brain tumor). So...I believe that among other things, God used my chosen career as a Mulligan. Through having to teach others, I learned that which had always eluded me. I might've even had a dose of empathy for my patients. Who knows?
Do I now excel at giving directions or taking them? Do I complete complex algebraic equations in a single bound? Do I crack syllogisms like Jimmy cracks corn? Nope. BUT. I'm better at solving them.
Lean in, and I'll tell you a secret. I have been afraid to try a Sudoku puzzle for years. I have. Don't laugh. Logical, if a-then-b thinking is not within my comfortable scope of daily practice or ability. So I have no idea why I bought a silly book full of Sudoku puzzles to take on our European trip. I almost didn't try them. I didn't think I could possibly even fill in one of those squares. Not even on the "easy" puzzle (who determines what EASY is, anyway???)
Defying all gravity logic, around 1/2way over the Atlantic Ocean, I cracked open the book and started working my first puzzle.
And now, I'm hooked. They only take me 525,600 minutes per puzzle, and I've been known to cross out a puzzle if "it" just doesn't cooperate (ahem), but for the most part...I'm having fun. And creating new neurological processes which will, hopefully, stave off dementia for as long as possible. And I'm giving God thanks for the simple things. Because He uses even those to teach us.
That we are worthy.
That we shouldn't give up or give in to defeated thinking
That He is with us always.
9 comments:
You and me, friend, have reached a new level of kindred.
I no likey the smarty analytical stuff.
But I ventured into the world of Sudoku and Logic Puzzles, and I'm slowly clawing my way through...one firing neuron at a time.
I am not so much scared of things like Sudoku but just find no interest in even attempting it. I don't even like the word Sudoku, what's it mean and how do you properly pronounce it......but ok maybe I'll give it a try in a few weeks during my extended family vaca......may need the distraction...:)
You do them in pen?!? That takes guts right there, my friend.
I feared Sudoku, but once I jumped in, I was hooked.
Mr. CPQ can do the 16x16 ones and I hate him for it.
You are awesome.
I am not a fan of Sudoku. It makes me crazy. I have to erase too many times and my page looks all messy and I'd rather just not bother. I love that you love it though!
Girl, even looking at those puzzles gives me the hives. But I do know that with God all things are possible.
And I love to praise God for the good things he has done...so i am grateful for His work in you, even in Soduku!
I had a 'friend' who was a whiz at math, but made sure everyone else felt dumb at it. Worked the puzzles all the time and let us know she was a whiz at them. So no, I didn't ever try them either. I guess I'd use a pencil because there would be plenty of erasing going on, but isn't it amazing what God heals over time, even the little things, the little insecurities, etc. etc. etc!
found you thru mer and whidbey comment she made. my father in law lives in oak harbor and we were just up there last weekend celebrating his b-day. love that island =)
as for sudoku, hubby loves it, but also has issues with certain ones not cooperating--ahem! and i noticed you did yours in ink. he switched to pencil after several discouraging games!!!
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