When I was a little girl, I had a deep fascination with riddles. It was my father who helped me develop it by sharing his passion for riddles and puzzles, particularly for math-based ones. It was the math based ones that always presented me with unique and often daunting challenges. He’d present a riddle, and I’d spend hours engrossed in solving it, using basic arithmetic at first, and later delving into more complex operations as I learned the intricacies of multiplication and division tables. Sometimes, the satisfaction of uncovering the answer came naturally, while other times, he had to offer hints – sometimes one, two, and sometimes more – before I could reach the solution.

Our family road trips were often marked by my father’s determination to ‘reach the destination,’ leading us to drive late into the night. My mother, aware of my curiosity and love for riddles, would seat me in the front beside my dad in our trusty VW Vanagon. There, I would keep him alert, peppering him with questions and attempting to crack the riddles he posed.

My fondness for riddles and puzzles persists to this day. I remain an inquisitive soul, constantly seeking answers and unafraid of challenges, especially when they involve words and language, which I find more accessible than numbers.

This morning, as part of my daily ritual, I tackled the New York Times puzzles — at least the word based ones; Wordle, Spelling Bee, The Mini, Letter Boxed and the newest one which I really like, Connections. This morning, on a whim I decided to venture into Sudoku, a realm I rarely explore, given my preference for words over numbers. Surprisingly, I realized that my initial misconception was that Sudoku was all about numbers, when in fact, it’s all about patterns.

Patterns have always held a special allure for me. I can perceive them, intuitively understand them, and appreciate their significance. Patterns resonate with me on a deep level.

So, here’s what I learned venturing into turf I usually avoid. When I think something is all about ‘one thing’ and thus, avoid it, I am limiting my experience of things outside of what I know. And, while familiarity can be a good thing, to really stretch your imagination, your mind and thinking, to move you outside your comfort zone, stepping into the the things you say, you can’t do, don’t like, have no understanding of or whatever you tell yourself to avoid experiencing something new or different, you must challenge your perceptions and inner beliefs.

If, like me, you’re captivated by the idea of unraveling the intricate puzzle that is your inner self and embarking on a journey to discover who you truly are and all you’re capable of, imagine this — Adventure. Hidden Treasure. Boundless riches await! This voyage you’re embarking on into the vast limitless mystery of your true potential is the adventure of your lifetime! You are about to set sail into the uncharted waters of your own being, delving into the depths of what you don’t yet know about yourself—those undiscovered territories you’ve never dared to explore. Much like Christopher Columbus daringly voyaged to discover new lands, you, too, must have the courage to navigate the unexplored aspects of your own beliefs and truths.

Because, when we risk divine into the unknown, life opens up in all its wonder, possibility, and awe, inviting us to explore the infinite realms of our own potential.

“What about you? Are you drawn to the intrigue of puzzles? Do you have a curiosity that beckons you to explore the depths of your existence beyond what you think you know? Are you ready to embark on a voyage into your own undiscovered patterns, embracing the wonder and awe that await?

I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below. I relish the opportunity to learn about the unique, fascinating, and magnificent aspects that make each of us who we are.

And if you’re intrigued by the idea of rewriting the story of your life and bringing alive all your potential, by delving into your inner landscape through creative exploration, I invite you to join me on January 8th for an exciting journey. Through the use of art-making, creative expression, self-reflection, and a collective approach, ‘The ReWrite Journey’ still has a space available for one more ‘priestess’ to enter and co-create a circle of endless possibilities!