Although there are some fine distinctions between Metaphors and Analogies we are going to use them interchangeably here.
Metaphor is a figure of speech that directly refers to one thing by mentioning another.
Example: Life if a Journey. Life is a Stage. Life is a Garden. Life is
Analogy is way / process of transferring information or meaning from a particular subject (the analog, or source) to another (the target).
Example. Comparing the the Atom to the solar system (The Atom is like the Solar System). Comparing Life to a Game of Football, Tennis, Basketball.
The Metaphors we use most often at a subconscious level affect even determine the Meaning(s) that we give to Life and other Events. They also influence how we perceive the our Purpose, Mission in Life.
Most likely you carry within you some Metaphors for life that even though you are not aware of are controlling the way you look at , make decisions, feel about and act in life.
Throughout our life, especially during childhood, we have unknowingly assimilated various Metaphors about Life that are still controlling us to
- What is Life to you?
- If you were to compare Life to something else what would you compare it to?
Metaphors can also be looked at as Paradigms / Mindsets. They carry with them a set of Beliefs, Values, Goals, Expectations, Rules, Principles, Ways of dealing with Problems that without even being aware of it determine how we make choices, emotions we have and in the end the quality of our life.
So Metaphors can have Positive, Empowering, uplifting effects but just as well they have Negative, Stuck, Disempowering effects.
The good news is that once we become aware of the unconscious Metaphors and Analogies that we assimilated for others we can evaluate them and decide if we want to continue to use them or adopt new ones.
- Step-1. Complete the following sentences in order to become aware of the Metaphors you might be already using:
Life is like......................... Life is as........................ Life is a (an)...................... Life is similar to..................... Life is analogous to................... I'm used to compare Life to...................
Now look at the answers you gave and evaluate them. Think of the impact they have on your life, how they influence ow you look at life, the Meanings they Carry with them, the Purposes.
Now that you are aware of them what do you think of them? Do you like the Metaphors you have been using so far? Do they help you? Do they enhance the quality of your life, your relationships ?
- Step-2. Next take another piece of paper. Answer the Questions and complete the sentences below:
What would like Life to be like ?
What Metaphors for and about Life would empower me?
What Metaphors should/must I use instead of the previous ones so that my life actually has Meaning and Purpose?
How do successful and happy people look at life?
In what ways could I compare and look at Life that would give it uplifting Meaning and Purpose?
Life could be like.........................
Life may be as ........................
Life could be a (an)......................
Life could be similar to.....................
Life can be analogous to...................
Life could be a (an)......................
Life could be similar to.....................
Life can be analogous to...................
I could compare life to..............
Be sure to do the Exercises from the previous posts to explore alternative ways to Discover or to Design the Meaning and Purpose of our Life:
