Learn to Dance: Metaphorical Wisdom for the Enigma of Life

Hmm, can we bend the course of our life in the direction we want it to go?

I have been reflecting lately on the haphazard course our lives seem to take. We hope that our life path will stay on an even keel with spikes of joy on a regular basis. But the reality is that life is a bumpy road and occasionally takes us places we do not want to go.

There have been times when I have looked resentfully at people who seem to be leading a charmed life and asked the fates: Why are they so fortunate? But with age and the wisdom that comes with it, sometimes hard-earned, I have come to realize that life tests everyone. No one gets away without a few scars. Scars are our badge of honour.

Some of our misfortunes are of our own making. We fail to look before we leap or spend too much time mustering the courage to jump and lose the opportunity. We are too careful or not careful enough, overestimate our ability or sell ourselves short.

Conventional wisdom tells us the key is to learn from our mistakes. In most cases we do, although sometimes we have to repeat the mistake before we see the light. But that knowledge does not make deciphering the path ahead any easier.

What about the circumstances, outside the realm of our control, that alter our lives? We get downsized out of a job. (Been there) Our marriage unravels and breaks apart. (Been there) Death strikes close to home for the first time and wounds us. (Been there) Our life diverts in an unexpected direction and we have no choice but to adapt.

Then there are the apocalyptic events that happen to society as a whole and leave us all adrift. The defining event of this nature in our generation was 9-11. The world fundamentally changed that day and all of us had to recalibrate.

Although not on the same scale (at least so far), the election of Donald Trump as president of the U.S. also qualifies in this category. Many are still in a state of disbelief and frightened at what the next four years may hold. We fear seismic disruptions in the world economy and escalation of hostilities on a global scale.

In the final analysis, we cannot be certain of anything beyond today. So how do we deal with this uncertainty? Can we bend the course of our life in the direction we want it to go? Live for today is good advice in some respects, but too simplistic for the long term. The answer may lie in the often quoted metaphor:

Life is a dance. Sometimes we lead, sometimes we follow. Don’t worry about what we don’t know, what’s important is we learn new steps as we go.

No one seems to know the author of these wise words although a couple of songwriters have borrowed them. Perhaps that is the way it should be. Metaphorical wisdom from a mysterious source for the enigma of life in an ever changing world. Embrace the uncertainty and learn to dance.

~ Michael Robert Dyet is the author of “Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel” – double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog

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