The Metaphors We Live By

The metaphors we live by include life as a journey, a game, a dream, and a movie. But how do these metaphorical perspectives affect our actions and our lives? Here's a look at a few of them, and how to best use them.

Purgatory

Is life a sort of purgatory to be suffered through? Many religions explicitly use this metaphor, claiming that life is suffering, and by suffering virtuously, you get to go to some wonderful place later. It is an idea that shows up in other ways too, as when people think it's normal to work at jobs they hate for most of their lives, in order to get the "reward" of retirement. This metaphor sucks the joy out of life.

A Party

This one could be a more enjoyable metaphor, at least for a while. But people who live by this metaphor may end up bitter later in life, because partying to excess has its consequences. Also, a party has to be paid for by someone. Without the money for food and drink a party isn't nearly as fun.

A Movie

This is one of the more common metaphors we live by. Some say things like, "This is my big scene," or "Is this the part where..." followed by some movie reference. Just as often, people unconsciously take the role of movie-goer in their own lives, feeling like they are watching a story that is directed by some other person or power.

It is a metaphor that can provide a more objective view - one that may keep a person from suffering too much. Another scene is on its way, after all, and there are always unexpected plot twists that can be good news. But this perspective also creates a sense of passivity. It could be more useful if the metaphor was extended to include yourself as the writer, director and producer.

What Are the Best Metaphors We Live By?

Many metaphors for living have their useful aspects. A "path," "journey," or "quest," can keep you looking for the better way in life, and maybe motivate you to overcome any obstacles in your way. If your life is a "story," it might mean more to you. An "adventure" could make you see life problems and challenges as exciting and interesting.

Unfortunately, metaphors are limiting too. Life may be more fun as a "game," for example, but a game has winners and losers, and competition is the norm. A person could miss out on a lot if this was his or her ruling metaphor. "Quests," or "journeys," have their problems as well, since they don't encourage relaxing and enjoying just being alive.

Metaphors we live by, then, should change continually. In this way we get the best out of each, without being limited by it. Let life be a movie, for example, when times are tough, and consider the later scenes in which your problems are resolved or overcome. Let life be a game to be played when you need to make strategic choices. To learn life lessons and develop your spirituality, use the metaphor of life as an "awakening," or "expansion of consciousness."

Other metaphors we live by? How about a dream, a vacation, or a tragedy? What would these do to our thinking? Or a roller coaster ride?

After many years working in a casino, I found myself using that as a metaphor for life. Just as in life in general, some player put the odds in their favor and won. Others played when the odds were against them (most players) and lost money. Their occasional "wins" were just bait to keep them losing. Naturally, the "house" or casino owners, always came out ahead. There are some lessons to be found in this metaphor, as there often are in the metaphors we live by.

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