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The Cheek of Time

The Cheek of Time

Author: By Jo Rushby
Date: 2026-03-27

"Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation." (Rumi)

This is an instant world. Nothing exemplified this more than the recent T20 World Cup. By the time I brewed my tea, the Proteas innings was over and the game was done. We constantly ask 'how much time will it take?' Noodles. Nescafe. We even have instant braai. Whatever next? Biltong at the local MacDonalds drive-thru?

It is as if our minds have been taken over and programmed into nowness. But there is a counter-movement. All over the world, people are finding ways to slow down. Mine is jigsaw puzzles. The latest took two weeks to complete. The Taj Mahal. It's hard to describe the child-like wonder as the image slowly comes into view. Walking past the table and seeing the bigger picture in the little pieces. As it came together, I thought about the monumental effort it took to build this wonder of the world; the people who have proposed in front of it, Princesses who have wept, Instagrammers who fleetingly pass...

It took 22 years to build. 20 000 artisans, the finest gemstones, perfect symmetry, colours of dusky pinks and cream. Commissioned in 1637, the Shah Jahan built a marmoreal monument to his late wife in honour of their love, an architectural wonder, as Tagore called it: "A teardrop on the cheek of time"

Think about jigsaws as turning the other cheek to time. They have weathered the centuries, helping our cognitive processes to develop, instilling focus and that long forgotten attribute, patience.

There is an inner peace and beauty which comes from puzzles. They are an escape from the digital world, can absorb us for hours, as we try and fathom shapes, colours and landscapes. On the side of the box housing 1000 pieces, it reads "Doing a puzzle is a bit like doing yoga exercises. It is a labour of love, challenge and light relief all in one. Doing puzzles is exciting, with invigorating emotional ups and downs. Piece for piece, as you search, find and search again, your feeling of achievement grows."

Slow down, you move too fast.. Seek out a puzzle and piece yourself together.