Our Inattention to the Power of Metaphors

[dynasaw]

As a culture we don't make connections between words and how they are made manifest in our actions. I can't help but think we've paid too little attention to the language of guns, targets, etc. as signs of what people really think and want to act upon

If you answered the question, "What are your beliefs about life?", your answer would come in the form of a metaphor. Amongst the many possible answers are life is an adventure, a struggle, a war zone, a dress rehearsal, the main act, a competition, a dance or possibly even a game.

As human beings, we constantly think and speak in metaphors. Often people talk of "being caught between a rock and a hard place." They feel like they're "struggling to keep their head above water" because "they're carrying the world on their shoulders." Do you think you might be at least a little bit stressed out if you thought about dealing with your life challenges in terms of "struggling to keep your head above water" rather than "opportunities to become emotionally wealthier"?

http://www.lifeenhancementsystems.com/freestuff/articles/metaphors.html