Driving: A Metaphor For Life

​By Lori Lines

Driving is a kind of metaphor for the journey through life.  You're moving through the world on pathways generally established by others who've come before you.  Occasionally, you may go off the beaten path and discover something very interesting or something very terrifying.  You may stop for a while, but eventually you'll keep going.

As you're traveling along, you may have a general idea about what's up ahead, but you can never be certain.  There are always surprises and possible dangers, even along your habitual routes.  There are delays and detours, smooth pavement and potholes, nice people and not-so-nice people.  You can unwittingly take a wrong turn and travel down a road that will change your life forever.  Or, you can stick to the main road and never deviate from it.

As you move along, you notice you have little control over the full range of events that are unfolding before your eyes.  You have very little control over what others do.  You can't stop the huge semi from dangerously pulling out in front of you.  Your powers are fairly well-limited to the control that you have over your own vehicle.  But even that is not absolute.  It can break down or skid out of control.  But despite your limitations, whatever they may be, you'll see interesting things and scary things.  Things that make you laugh and things that will make you sad.  But, you'll keep going.

© Lori Lines. 2015. All Rights Reserved.

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