It is has been said, “there are two things that you can count on in life, death and taxes.” In my case, there’s one more and that would be visiting Kristy’s grandmother, lovingly called Gnin in Cantonese every weekend in Monterey Park, California, where everything is in Chinese and a tall white guy always seems a bit out of place.
Gnin is going on 90 now, and if that weren’t enough of a reason to see her every week, she’s a real hoot, cute as a dumpling, speaks very little English and is brutally honest. She loves anything sweet and reminds Kristy and I on a continual basis that she’d like to see us pop out a baby soon. Fortunately for us, Kristy’s brother just had a boy so that should take a little bit of the pressure off for now.
Without fail, as if programmed into our genes like a pair of migrating African Lovebirds, Kristy and I get up early every weekend, regardless of our desperate need for sleep, in an attempt to beat the LA traffic, see Grandma and take advantage of the breakfast specials at one of the thousand Chinese restaurants in Monterey Park. Last weekend was no exception, but this time something quite remarkable happened.
Jumping on the 101 South from Hollywood, we were pleasantly surprised, if not shocked, to find very little traffic. But as we turned the bend through the heart of downtown we could see across the divide the 101 North, our usual route back home, was already bumper-to-bumper.
As if Kristy could read my mind, which I think she can at times when she’s not hungry, she uttered, “Wow! That looks like a parking lot.”
“Yes it does.” I replied.
“Maybe we’ll have to take the streets back.” She said.
“Maybe. Hopefully it will clear up by the time we head back.” I replied trying to sound optimistic.
Continuing on our way unimpeded and with a constant view of the opposing traffic, I couldn’t help but notice how easily it was for both of us to see the opposing traffic as a parking lot and something bad. The mood in the car immediately changed from a joyful “to grandmother’s house we go” to a sobering “Crap! Look at that traffic.”
Wanting my joy back, I began to wonder if I could perhaps see it another way, choose another metaphor, throw the parking lot out and replace it with something more positive.
Searching for the positive, I began to see the traffic as an opportunity for people to relax, slow down, listen to good music, spend more quality time with each other and do a little sight-seeing. I began to see each car as an oasis for meditation and personal reflection, a chance to learn a foreign language or finally reset the clock on the dash. I saw symmetry and cooperation as each car edged ever so slightly forward. I even saw it as a piece of contemporary art.
Sharing my thoughts aloud as we passed this beautiful still life entitled “Cars on a Highway,” we both began to laugh and the mood once again returned to joy. Gone was the negative metaphor we both shared, replaced by a plethora of positive ones. Traffic would never look the same way again.
*******
The power of a metaphor, much like a 90-year-old grandmother, should never be underestimated. A single metaphor, much like a single comment from a loved one, has the power to bring us down and stop us in our tracks or raise us up to a world of unlimited possibilities. Fortunately, we have power over the metaphors we use.
Whenever I notice myself using a metaphor, I ask myself “Is this a meta-for or a met-against?” If I feel good and empowered by it, I call it a ‘meta-for’ and make a mental note that it’s a keeper and available for use at any time in the future. But if I notice any negativity around a metaphor I have just used, I call it a ‘met-against,’ let it go and set an intention to replace it with something positive and empowering.
While this may seem all too simple, I assure you it works and it’s fun, not to mention it keeps me from thinking about those two other things I can inevitably count on, death and taxes.
Copyright 2010 Rob Gruber, M.A. Life Mastery Coach
Super! I love the new meta-for. This definitely adds a new perspective on “all” things. Thank you for a great outlook.
I love this post! What a gorgeous re-frame of a daily reality for so many of us here in Los Angeles. What a dizzying array of possibility to restructure ourselves into a language and thereby life of the heart. Thank you for this message. Meta-for and meta-against is a gem. Blessings to your family and to darling Gnin.
Thanks Wendy!
I’m glad you liked it and am grateful for your comment and support! Being a new Mom, you may like an earlier blog I wrote as well entitled “three of my favorite words”
Thanks again,
Rob
Thank you Sandra,
I am deeply moved that a writer such as you enjoyed my humble little post. You have no idea how much that means to me.
I am forever grateful for your support!
So before I even finished reading I was envisioning that the parking lot was a bunch of other people going to visit their grandmother’s….and I thought what a loving thing to sacrifice by spending time in traffic so that you could show loved ones how much you care. You are wonderful 🙂
Thanks Lori,
You are so awesome, I love your metaphor!
Thank you for sharing your love, insight and wisdom!
Rob
So very good! Loved it.
Thanks Mer,
Miss you sooooooooo much!!!!! Let’s get caught in traffic together so that we can catch up.
Love ya,
Rob
Meta-for vs. Met-against! I love it!
I think so deeply before I speak, much more often than I have in the past, because the words that fly out can impact the people we are with so deeply, but also, as your example illustrates, influence our thinking directly. I am certified in Reality Therapy, and in that moment with your sweetheart in the car, you did the thing that we talk about in Choice Theory psychology, which some people believe that they can never do, and that is, change your thinking. Changing thinking changes mood, behavior, and physiology, because they are all connected. And, it WORKS!!!! Thanks Rob!
Thank you Vanessa for your support, kind words and wisdom! And thank you for your blog, I love your writing. You are a gift to us all.
meta-for or meta-against! I love it! 🙂
Thanks Em, As i love your work. i set an intention today to fill my house with love! all because of you. Thanks for the inspiration.
Love,
Rob