Do you have a metaphor for your life? I’m in a small group study and today’s reading lesson started off with the statement “The way you see your life shapes your life.”
One of the first thoughts this statement brought to my mind was a question a mentor asked me many years ago.
“How do you see your life?”
Because I didn’t know what he was asking I asked him to explain more. He told me that in the month we were getting to know each other he was seeing my life as a kaleidoscope.
A Metaphor as a Secret Ingredient for Introverts
Personally I never thought of life in that kind of metaphor.
[Tweet “Life is like a kaleidoscope: make a slight change to discover something new.”]
The original kaleidoscope, invented in 1816 by David Brewster, was a tube containing broken color glass and other objects all bouncing their reflections off of mirrors and glass pieces set at different angles. Just as they work now, you would looking through the end of the tube as you turned it and, the pattern would change.
Just like when we turn a kaleidoscope and a new pattern appears, the only thing we know with the next turn, another pattern will show up.
It makes sense that someone who might be listening to my personal life stories as my mentor did would come to interpret my life being like a kaleidoscope. Patterns do change and shift. Sometimes there is a distorted vision effect that causes me to miss some of the pieces of my vision.
But the name of Brewster’s invention is appropriate for how I have come to believe this is a most appropriate metaphor for my life. Brewster used the Greek words: kalos meaning beautiful, eidos for form, and scopos for watcher.
So kaleidoscope translates to: the beautiful form watcher.
Interesting to me is that the “watcher” in here is so appropriate for the introvert side of me! Maybe a metaphor could be that secret ingredient that helps us live our life to the fullest, or not.
Here are some other metaphors for what life is like. Many don’t have someone to recognize for attribution but if you know who may have said one, please do tell.
From the famous movie Forrest Gump, I had heard, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
“Life is just a bowl of cherries, So live and laugh at it all.” Rang a bell. Maybe you heard that one too? It was the title of a song sung by Ethel Merman in Scandals (1931), written by Lew Brown and Ray Henderson.
“Life is like a book; Don’t jump to the end to see if its worth it. Just enjoy life and fill the pages with beautiful and amazing memories.” Chee Vai Tang
No attribution:
“Life is like a story. Each day is like a chapter. Each year is like a part. But like every book, each story is different. You can’t judge a book by its cover until you know its story.”
“Life is like a camera. Just focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don’t turn out – take another shot.”
“Life is like a confused teacher…first she gives the test and then teaches the lesson.”
Do you have a favorite metaphor from the few shared here?
What metaphor do you have for your own life?
Personally relate to “life is a book” with constant new chapters based on learning and development. Chance and decisions also have a huge role to play. Potemkin once said that if you don’t know what to do wait and chance will work out in your favour. One older woman said to me that she didn’t feel she had to learn more. Simply can’t relate to that for the simple reason that for me learning is one, if not the, most important aspect of life.
Catarina, I always think of yoga when I think of you. I can relate to the life is a book being a favorite metaphor though!
I can certainly relate to the book metaphor for all the obvious reasons…and I tend to think about things metaphorically too. I could also say that my life has felt like a roller coaster, with all the terror and excitement that goes with a wild ride.
Books – I bet many bloggers can relate to that one too Jacqueline. Oh I can so think about times of like being like a roller coaster! Thanks for that one.
I use a lot of metaphors in coaching. I appreciate how it helps my clients (and even my conversation with my husband) to expand my creative thinking and understanding about their message.
I like that life is like a box of chocolate, although to give it a bit of a twist: we are a box of chocolates – you will never be would we could be – there’s a sense of fun and mystery within us.
I love using metaphors in writing, speaking, coaching, just in any communication. As long as someone can relate, it cuts through explanation time and makes an easier connection. Thanks for that twist on chocolates!
I love the kaleidoscope metaphor. I’ve always enjoyed looking into kaleidoscopes and being able to make big or little changes. It is almost mind-boggling to realize how the littlest decision can change the entire course of your moment, day, life. I love knowing that it’s mine to change.
What an insightful take on life is like a kaleidoscope! Thanks Beth. And if you have your own …. like is like metaphor, do share it.
Hi Patricia,
I find that so interesting that your mentor told you that he was seeing your life “as a kaleidoscope”. I’ve never thought of my life in terms of being a metaphor. If I were to choose one from those that you suggested, I would pick ““Life is like a story”. That seems fitting. I think of my life as having been in chapters and the best is yet to come. 🙂
Sherryl we likely all have our own favorite … life is like metaphor. Delighted the one my mentor gave me years ago resonates for you.
I believe this comparison, “Life is like a camera. Just focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don’t turn out – take another shot,” resonates the most with me. The metaphor I use most is, ” Life is always changing. Change is just another word for life.”
Michele I love that comparison for life is like a camera. In particular – take another shot! Love that. Thanks.
I had heard of some of these, but certainly not all of them. I love the last one – Life is like a confused teacher – first it gives you the test and then it gives you the lesson. I also like the book one- don’t jump to the end to see if it is worth it. Life is a crazy journey at times, and these metaphors really do give some perspective on how to get through.
Crazy journey works too Erica! Thanks for adding to the list of like is like metaphors.
My favorite by far is the kaleidoscope. It captures the complexity of life and also the idea that you interpret what you see. Ties in to the quote at the beginning of your post about how the way you see your life shapes your life.
Yes Ken. When we use metaphors for anything (in this post, life is like …) it can usually bridge understanding and increase clarity for the receiver of the message. Thanks.
I think “life is a book” describes me now. I’ll be moving to Florida in the next couple of months and a new chapter of my life is unfolding. As a died-in-the-wool New Yorker I never thought I’d leave but now I’m excited about my move and can’t wait to get going!
You know I couldn’t believe this move when I first heard you speak of it Jeannette! I love the power “life is a book” metaphor will give you. Well, you likely won’t need that kind of positivity going from a snow laden city this year to warm and sunny Florida!
Life will always give you the answers; they may not be the answers you want but they are still the answers.
Tim it is so coincidental you framed life as giving your answers, just not always the answers you want. Something going on in my life with that very idea bubbling up. Thanks.
Sincerely hope it all works out for the best Patricia.
Well I don’t have a metaphor but you’ve really got my mind working now so I’m sure I’ll come up with one. For now, I think the metaphor about life being like a story is the one that resonates with me, because of course whether we realize it or not, we all tell stories about our lives – where we’ve coming from, who we are and where we’re going. Very inspiring … now I’m going to go in search of my metaphor 🙂
Whether we use metaphors or stories they both cut across potential misunderstandings in communications. Have fun on the search for your life is a … metaphor Marquita.
Mine’s kind of different. I see myself a swimmer and my life a river. Sometimes the way is clear with a steady current, fast, medium or slow. At those times I aim to swim with strength, efficiency and grace. No splash. I get places with my own style. Sometimes there’s a landslide or explosion (an accident or other source of big trauma in my life) and the river is blocked. I seem to be stopped. But I tell myself those are times to look after myself super well. No matter how long it takes, I know the river will resume its flow. It may be by a slow building up of strength to flow over or around the obstruction or by creating a new direction altogether. Not always easy but thinking metaphorically like this has saved me from much despair in facing trauma.
What sage advice to think metaphorically to save us if facing trauma. I love your life is like a river metaphor. Thanks for adding to the list Ramona.
I fully take to hear that we write each page and chapter of our book of life every day of our lives and ultimately we are in control of the narrative. The trouble is we get stuck on telling ourselves we should be living a certain narrative which in turns can get us stuck in a rut.
I’m staying with your more positive take on a metaphor Jeri! Ruts are – you know the expression – a grave with two ends dug out. I like the life is like a book for a more page turner of a life.
I like Forrest Gump for a motto, “Life is like a box of chocolates”
Except my conclusion is different, someone else has gotten there first, and took what you wanted; All that is left is something you don’t want that leaves a foul taste in your mouth.
Oh dear William! Well, I suppose a metaphor could go in a negative direction if that is your experience. I heard that in a couple of comments. At least, you like life is like a box of chocolates – just don’t eat the piece that you don’t like.
This is a fun exercise, Patricia, and a useful one. It’s really forcing me to think – I’ve often joked that I wish I had a soundtrack for my life. So I’d say that my life is like a musical, with different instruments and melodies, sometimes with pop tunes, jazzy other times, classical and thoughtful at other times. Not every song is a hit, but they’re all hummable – I’d like to think!
Krystyna that sounds like so you! I mean one of the loveliest things about the cars you love to drive (well I would imagine being a car buff myself) is to be able to turn up the radio, tune in to your soundtrack that matches the vibe in the car and away you go. Thanks for sharing – life is like a musical. I love it.
Hi, very interesting metaphors. I once read something like ” Failure is a condiment that gives success it’s flavor”. It was so true, we learn from failures and it is an invisible guiding line that sets our path to sweet success. Thanks for sharing.
A condiment. Never thought about failure quite like that lynne! It certainly makes that experience something more palatable. Thanks for that metaphor.
Beautiful! My metaphor is nothing happens by chance or coincidence. Everyuthing is part of an orchestrated plan which one realizes only after the fact.
Orchestra. Love that one. Says indeed life is all about everything doesn’t it Sherrill? Thanks for that metaphor.