Metaphors

So I wanted to do a little something different today and share a couple metaphors I have found and use to remind myself to look for the good in things as well as to look for the whole picture of life. Often enough we get tunnel vision and forget to broaden our scopes about life, or we get weighed down and stressed, and only see the waves that are dragging us down. Find the silver lining in everything even if its super hard to find at first, it is there. So I wanted to share a couple metaphors/scenarios that help me during the rough times.

 

The Bee and the Fly-

 

I wrote a whole post on this metaphor a while back, but wanted to revisit it again. This metaphor is definitely one of my favorites. Imagine a bee and a fly… The fly is put into a room full of flowers and beauty and in all that finds the one small pile of poop. The bee on the other hand is put in a room full of poop and grossness and is able to find that one single flower in the midst of all the negativity. The mindset of the bee is to search out the good in all the bad. It is there; we sometimes just have to search a bit harder. Live with that mindset though of always looking out for the good. Don’t let the negativities take you down or overwhelm you. Start each day out with that encouraging attitude that is determined to search out the good and the positivity. Spread love and warmth and watch the ripple affect happen. Be the Bee in life and not the fly who zeros in on the garbage of life. Find that beautiful flower, that silver lining, that positivity in life.

Exercise to go with this metaphor: Start a gratitude journal and each day write down at least one thing you are thankful for.

 

The Quilt-

 

This is another one of my favorite metaphors in life. The quilt. The idea of all these beautiful pieces of colorful fabric being brought together to make one big masterpiece. We are all quilts! We need each little piece, each stitch in the fabric, etc. to make us who we are. We are all made up of beautiful stories and unique characteristics. No quilt is exactly the same, there will always be differences and that’s the same with each of us. No one is exactly the same… Our experiences are what make who we are today. Those colorful pieces of fabric are our experiences and stories that shape us. The stitches are the love and dedication in life that bring us together. We need to view ourselves not as some random person full of different parts and stories, but as a quilt and all those experiences make up a bigger masterpiece that is us!

Exercise to go with this metaphor: Go to a quilt show or try to see if you can find a quilt to look at in person and look at all the little unique pieces and stitches and then step back to look at the beautiful bigger picture on the quilt!

 

The Highway/The Detour-

 

Imagine life as a highway. Now imagine the world and society has paved and made one big highway and EVERYONE is on it. The end goal is being successful in the world’s eyes. Being rich, famous, influential, etc….. The traffic jams are TERRIBLE, the tunnel vision is rampant, and the billboards clutter up the skyline with all the things you need to buy to be “happy”. Now imagine that little detour sign and you take it…. It opens up into a beautiful road free of all the hustle and bustle. The destination isn’t fixed and you get to decide where you want to end up. The journey is the most exciting part, because the scenery is stunning all around you. Take it in and enjoy it, soak it all in and let it light your soul on fire. Find that detour in life; avoid that fast paced highway that screams out material happiness. Life happens for real when we find that detour, get off the main road, and enjoy the ride of life with all the unexpected surprises and blessings along the way!

Exercise to go with this metaphor: Take a hike! Drive a bit farther than you would and go explore a new part of nature far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

 

The Canvas-

 

We are all pieces of art. This metaphor goes very well with the quilt metaphor to me. All the aspects that make up one beautiful masterpiece. We are often drawn to gorgeous, bright, and vibrant pieces of art. Colors splashed all over, lively and full of soul. That is how each one of us is! Every experience, every little moment, every characteristic makes up a bigger picture. Each splash of color in our life adds up to a huge masterpiece in the end. So live life boldly and do whatever sets your heart and soul on fire to make your masterpiece and canvas so incredibly beautiful and unique! Live life with excitement and purpose. Each aspect will line up I promise you. Xo

Exercise to go with this metaphor: Do some art! Draw or paint, but make a picture that is very colorful. Play some happy music and just enjoy making art!

 

 

These are just a few of my favorite metaphors. Thinking about the beauty of life and trying to cultivate that beauty in myself and all around me really excites me. We have to live life boldly and unapologetically ourselves. Don’t ever apologize for your differences. Take however much time you need and whatever path you need through life as well. Blossom and grow and be passionate about whatever you want to be passionate about!!!

 

Which metaphor stood out the most to you? AND do you have any metaphors of your own that you love and that get you through some of the bumpy times and/or inspire you!? If you do I would love to hear about them.

 

Photo by Stephan Bullard