Life is like...

 "... life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get."

Many analogies have been used to describe what life is like. One of my favourite playwrights, William Shakespeare compared life with these lines in Macbeth: "Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."  On a lighter note, there is a famous line, that I like to quote all the time. It is from one of my favourite movies, Forrest Gump. "... life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get."

A few days ago, I heard another analogy in a philosophical discussion. It was used to emphasize the aspect how we had to improvise to forge forward in times of adversity. Life is like cooking a meal for your friends and family. I reflected on this analogy and became rather fond of it. 

A democratic host would keep in mind the likes and dislikes of her guests. It could be a buffet dinner or individual plates customized to individual preferences and tastes. An autocratic host, on the other hand, would only serve food that she likes with little regard for her guests' preferences. It seems to me that I have had mostly autocratic hosts in my life. Either I am just not someone that they care about or they are just self-centered. They only invite me because of social protocols. I have learned to decline such invitations. Why should I go through so much agony just to be polite?

Sharing a meal with someone I truly like, however, is a wonderful experience especially when it is a home-cooked meal. When I take time to prepare something that my guests like, it is also an expression of love. Going to the market and food preparation are no longer chores.  Sometimes I experiment with new ingredients and discover new favourites with my friends.

In the first two analogies, though the individual takes action on his surroundings, he/she cannot affect how things would turn out. The experience is passive and unilateral. The last analogy, on the other hand, has elements of choice and interactions. Whichever way one goes through life, there is always a beginning and an end.