By Justin Isaiah Iriarte and Alannah Anderson
In navigating this ever-complex world that we live in, viewing daily situations in a metaphorical sense could aid in understanding the meaning of our actions and the actions of others. Following the template of a recent social media trend in which people create their own expressions, these writers tried their hand at weaving some wisdom for our readers. Read some of our personal proverbs that we are now implementing into our lives in an attempt to dissolve the mystique and frustrations of mundane situations.
- Grabbing the kettle before it whistles leads to cold tea
Who wants cold tea? And no, iced tea is not an option here. Rather than being impatient and ending up with an unsatisfying result, wait the situation out. Usually, with more time and thought comes better results.
Scenario: You and your friend see an advertisement at school for a weekend away at the beach. There are two dates, one this weekend and one during the summer. Currently, you have a pile of assignments, barely enough money to cover the cost of the trip and you have a shift to cover at work this week. If you go this weekend, you end up spending most of the time at the hotel doing homework instead of swimming at the beach. If you wait and go in the summer, you end up making countless memories stress-free and without breaking the bank.
- Don’t admire the mountain’s view before you reach the summit
You shouldn’t become too comfortable in your current situation when you know there’s a challenging climb ahead. Yes, your environment may be nice and cozy where you are, but just think of how proud you’ll be when you get to the top.
Scenario: Your biology teacher assigned a research project and presentation on your favorite topic. You’ve spent a lot of time drawing illustrations for the presentation since that is a hobby of yours. Basically, you are enjoying where you are at right now in the project, but you still have the actual research paper to finish. Instead of making more drawings, you decide to work on the paper so you can enjoy the end result of completing the project on time and getting to present it to everyone.
- Don’t start the race before your laces are tied
If you’re not prepared to start something, do you really want to dive head-first into a new situation?
Scenario: You have a presentation next week. Rather than deciding to wing it and read off the slides, you make flashcards and practice. Making that decision lets your presentation run so smoothly you don’t even have to glance behind you.
- A disco ball is just broken glass
Remember that society quite literally dances to a rotating ball of broken glass. That glass is still very much capable of reflecting light while also stunning the people who look at it.
Scenario: You might have had a rough week and feel pretty useless; you received a bad test grade, can’t go to that concert you’ve been wanting to anymore and feel extremely tired. As a result, you’ve lost your appetite and your sense of happiness. Then, you realize that just styling your hair, taking a shower or being outside in nature are all activities worth celebrating. Sometimes, life might throw some curveballs and make us feel not like ourselves, but we can still shine by enjoying the small things.
- Blue and red don’t always make the prettiest shade of purple
Just because you seem compatible with someone doesn’t mean that you’ll have a good relationship.
Scenario: You’ve made countless friends at college, but today, you’ve met someone who feels different. You hit it off and you think they could be your new best friend. However, after weeks pass, your relationship changes for the worse. Even though your hangouts still feel like the first time, the vibes are off. Even with their apparent kindness, they have poor communication and only hang out when it suits them. Sometimes, they even make snarky remarks about what you’re eating or what you’re wearing. Spoiler alert: that’s not a healthy friendship.
- Even if a silver ring turns a dull gray, you still keep it in your jewelry box
This proverb means appreciating something for its sentimentality instead of its material value. Just like wine (and jewelry), some things are better with age. Understand that though things have changed, they may still be important to you, and that’s okay!
Scenario: Imagine looking through your closet and finding an old jacket that you used to wear every single day. Riddled with holes, mysterious stains and discoloration from age, you wonder why you kept it after all this time. Then you remember that you bought it with an old friend, and throwing it away feels like throwing away a memory, so you don’t.
- A samurai’s sword is only as sharp as his mind
Your material being will only take you as far as the knowledge and wit you have. Moreover, it can mean that money and material wealth can only get you so far if you don’t have the experience to accompany it.
Scenario: Thinking back to my daunting days on my high school’s track and field team, I often think about how I felt the need to buy new and expensive equipment to feel as adequate as my teammates. I had equated talent and drive to what shoes and clothes everyone else was wearing. I failed to understand that skill takes time and dedication, not a new pair of running shoes.
- You can put clothes on a mannequin, but they still can’t speak
Though humorous and obvious in a literal sense, we interpret this phrase as understanding that sometimes you have to face the nature of something rather than trying to force it to change. Of course, it’s obvious that one should try to create the best outcomes they can for themselves, but it’s also crucial to realize that no matter how hard you try, some things aren’t meant to be altered.
Scenario: Say you’re going through a rough patch with your partner. You start considering changing your outward appearance, taking on new hobbies and fundamentally altering your identity to please them. But a friend cautions you against it. They explain that superficial gestures won’t unmask deeper issues and connections. It’s like being a mannequin — you can put on new clothes, but that won’t change who and what you really are.
- Take flour out of a cake and it’s just scrambled eggs.
This saying displays the importance of teamwork and how everyone and everything has its place somewhere. In a cake, every ingredient has its purpose, and if you’re missing a key component, it won’t turn out correctly. A cake without flour is just eggs, sugar and butter, after all.
Scenario: Picture this. You’re working on a complex project with your team. Everyone has their job and is gathering the things they need to collaborate. One person, however, decides not to do their part of the project. When the time comes to put everything together, the team member’s missing contribution leaves a glaring gap in the project. It’s like baking a cake without flour — the absence of one crucial element throws everything off balance.
- Water and vodka both pour clear
Not everything is as it seems. Trust your senses and be more aware. This could mean something like someone you thought was a friend could betray you, or something more simple and literal, like accidentally drinking vodka after thinking it was water. In any case, stay sharp and let your mind, instincts and healthy skepticism guide you.
Scenario: After graduation, you encounter two potential career positions — one promises stability and fulfillment, and the other is adorned with enticing perks and promises. At first glance, they may seem equally appealing, each offering its own allure. You cleverly decide to think back to this Roundabout article and, before deciding on one or the other, you put your detective hat on and get to researching both companies.
Hopefully, these silly and very fictitious phrases have put a smile on your face while also provoking a sense of spark in daily situations. These writers wanted to get your gears turning a little more about your approach to life, whether it’s having a heightened sense of awareness or reminding yourself of your knowledge.