Metaphors for Life

Our approach to life and the challenges we face is often influenced by the subtle understandings we have at a less-than-conscious level. The metaphors for life that we have, for example, create a perspective that colors everything we see. Here are some examples.

Life Is a Test

This is a common feeling even when not expressed in words (can a feeling be a metaphor?). It makes for a lot of stress, of course. When we speak of "graduating from the school of hard knocks," for example, we are taking the "test" perspective, and we tend to feel that there will be more hard lessons. This does not generate many good feelings about life.

Life Is an Adventure

This might be a healthier metaphor than the last. It suggests unpredictability, which some may not like, but it also orients us towards seeing the unpredictable events and circumstances as potentially fun and interesting challenges. Think about it this way: A man walks through a rainstorm annoyed or miserable while on his way to work, while another man does the same with excitement because he is going to the top of a mountain. The perspective of adventure changes entirely how we experience circumstances.

Life Is a Punishment

This is perhaps the worst form of the life-is-a-test metaphor. It is inherent in some religions, which suggest a punishing "purification" through life as a means to some great reward afterward.

Life Is a Movie

This is actually one of the more common metaphors for life now, even if we don't realize we are using it. We talk about "making a scene," "playing our part," for example, which are direct references to this metaphorical way of seeing things. It may provide a useful perspective in that it suggests there are various plots available, but seeing one's own life as a role in a movie could encourage a very passive approach to things as well. After all, we might just wait to see what happens in the next scene.

Life Is an Opportunity

This is the general metaphor for life expressed by ideas like "seizing the day" or in the expression, "you only go around once" (although that may be a life-is-a-merry-go-round metaphor too). The perspective this creates is one that encourages actions and going after your dreams and goals.

Life Is a Waiting Room

It is hard to imagine a more passive perspective, but this has become another common metaphor for life in many subtle ways. We wait for "our ship to come in," for example, or say, "my time will come." We wait to hear "opportunity knocking," or "my turn." Of course, none of these ideas encourage us to take action to make things happen.

Other Pages

Metaphorology Home
Metaphors for Life