What is your favorite metaphor for life? When you think of life, what picture comes to mind? For me, it is a mountain range. Life is a hike along plateaus, valleys, and mountain peaks. The ascents are the challenges, the peaks are the revelations and accomplisments, the descents are times of peaceful wandering, the plateaus are days of steady living, and the valleys can be moments of warmth or moments of anguish depending on the kind of valley I'm embedded in.
It would be interesting to have this discussion with friends as I wonder if the way we see life creates both the communion and disconnection we experience in life. If we're operating with similar metaphors, we may likely connect more than if we are operating with different metaphors.
Long ago I searched for a tangible metaphor for life. I read quite a bit at that time which informed the mountain range metaphor I embraced and have held on to since. I like the idea of seeing life as a quest with peaks to conquer, beautiful views, and a mix of companions along the way. I love the way that similar to hiking in the mountains, sometimes the vision ahead is clear and bright and sometimes it is hidden by clouds or the giant mountains or thick forests that stand in front of us.
So today as I find myself on the top of a small peak with a somewhat blurry horizon ahead, it's a time with a rather steady path--a place to regain energy and perspective for the ascent ahead. Onward.