“Key metaphors help determine what and how we perceive, and how we think about our perceptions.” Mr H. Abrams
Insights are created from life experiences and can be your biggest source of encouragement or create your biggest mental block. Working as a therapist and life coach, she spends a lot of time delving into the perceptions of the people she works with using interpretive images as metaphors. Because? Metaphors tell a story or provide a visual clue to help us see alternative ways of looking at personal challenges.
Creative and powerful, metaphors have a singularly significant influence, drawing clarity and attention to your specific situation. Some refer to this experience as an “aha moment.” One of the most transformative is the key metaphor that emerges from the optical viewfinder known as a kaleidoscope. Described as a “key” metaphor because it offers ever-changing images and ever-changing perspectives that everyone can relate to. Speaker Rosabeth Moss Kanter illustrates the kaleidoscope metaphor as a window onto the world, looking at a set of elements and intent on reassembling those floating fragments into how you perceive yourself and your world. All of which make up your life. The smallest change that has the potential to create a new consciousness, as was the case with the story of Kate, my friend’s daughter.
The daughter of my friends: the story of the visible and the invisible
As the door opened, my friend was assailed by tears streaming down her daughter’s face.
Stumbling to speak through her tears, my friend’s daughter said, “It’s not fair, it’s not my fault, it’s just not fair.” Curious, my friend stopped what she was doing to listen. She wanted to know more about what had made her daughter so angry.
“What’s not fair, Kate?” asked my friend.
Justifying her tears, my friend’s daughter said, “Because I’m the tallest in my class, they always put me last in line. Just once I’d like to be first, it’s not my fault. I didn’t ask to be tall, it’s It’s just not fair.”
Quietly my friend replied. “Kate, do you remember the kaleidoscope lesson?”
“That sometimes you have to go exploring to find a solution” Kate replied.
Alright, so, my friend said, “let’s explore. Why don’t we start by lining you up just like you would in school?” Kate looked at her mother and did as she asked. Now, standing behind her, my friend, using her best militant voice of hers, yelled “change your mind” and Kate found herself first in line, right where she wanted to be.
Excited, Kate said, “Oh mommy, if all I want is to be first in line, I just need to turn around!”
By asking Kate to think about the Kaleidoscope lesson along with my friend’s intentional instructions, Kate was able to see her situation in a new and different way. Whether or not she agrees with the concept that problems are created when she stops looking for solutions is not important. What’s helpful is realizing that challenges can’t be turned into opportunities when an obstacle she’s facing consumes all of her attention.
Carry: Although what you see is not up to you or me, the way you look is up to you.
make your kaleidoscope
While I don’t think you need any practical excuse to own a kaleidoscope other than pure enjoyment, so don’t forget to find the fun in exploring creative solutions!
For instructions to build your kaleidoscope, go to http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/funscience/be-dazzled/
Change your way of thinking, change your life!
