Mama Always Said Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates Cave Diving Expedition.

Now, I've never explored a virgin cave system before, although I do hope to one day. But I can imagine what it would be like.? I often think about what it must have been like for the first explorers of a particular cave I?m diving that day as they entered a hole in the ground filled with water, not knowing where it would take them.? As I think about that experience, I can?t help but compare it in some ways to this strange adventure called ?Life?.? So let?s get philosophical for a few minutes.? I think Socrates would be proud. ?(Life?s comparisons are in red font.)

The cave diving team has learned which leads not to take and shortly finds the trunk of the cave system.? They continue on their merry way laying line and exploring open virgin passage.? The young man has found his groove now and is becoming successful in his job and relationships.? After laying about 1,000 feet of line, the cave team comes upon a restriction.? They wonder how far the restriction is and if they can even break through.? They start into the low, silty collapse hoping to not get trapped.? They know the risk is always there.? After a period of success, the man encounters a rough spot in his life, whether he looses his job, becomes ill, or experiences relationship problems.? The man wonders how long this trying time will last and if he will ever make it through.? The dive team passes through the restriction experiencing a few scrapes and bumps as they pass, but they soon see an opening just ahead.? The man experiences some great discomfort in this trying time, but eventually finds a wise solution to his problem.

Once beyond the restriction, the team has two viable tunnels from which to choose.? Choosing the wrong one can cost the team lost dive time & objectives.? The team opts to go left.? The man finds that he has a new opportunity which could significantly affect the outcome of his life.? Choosing the wrong option could cost him wasted time and could take him down a very different road than what he expected.? So he decides to explore this new life opportunity knowing that there is risk involved.? And things seem to be going fine.? The dive team has laid another 300 feet of line into the left tunnel.? It?s at this point that the cave just shuts down.? I?m not talking about another restriction ? It walls out!? Disappointed at the lost time and air, the team retraces their steps, retrieving their laid line in hopes they still have enough time to explore the other passage.? The man experiences satisfaction in his decision to take advantage of this opportunity.? But then something unpredictable happens and his dreams are shattered.? Hurt and disappointed, he tries to gain back any resemblance of the life he had before this opportunity was presented to him.? He actually succeeds in this effort and starts on his way once again.? ?The dive team reaches the other passage and has time to continue.

The team is successful in laying another 2,000 feet of line in this new tunnel.? Within these 2,000 feet, they experienced many rises and declines in the tunnel?s direction.? They also identify potential leads to some side tunnels or branches that they may explore later or leave for others to explore in future dives.? The man continues to be successful in life at this time.? He experiences many more ups and downs in his life, but his wisdom has increased and he has set aside assets and opportunities for either his or his heirs? enjoyment later.? The dive team finally reaches their agreed turn pressures and begin the exit satisfied with the accomplishments and dive objectives made in this expedition.? Their last task is to survey the passage as they exit.? Reaching retirement, the man looks back on his life taking inventory of his accomplishments and taking great satisfaction in his life?s work.? He has left a great legacy and helped many people along the way. ?The dive team has reached its exit point and now has the data to plot a cave map for others to use in future dives.? The dive has finally finished with a bottom time of 100 minutes.? The man has reached the end of his life and dies at the ripe old age of 100 satisfied with a job well done.? He has left behind a legacy and assets that others can use to guide them in their life journeys.

Moral of the story?? Does there have to be one?? I just thought it was kinda neat to make this analogy.? I really didn?t have one in mind.? But so as not to leave you disappointed, here?s one for you.? Entering this game of life, you don?t know where you are headed.? And depending on the cave of life you happen to find, anything is possible.? It could be a short or long journey, smooth or rough, direct or round-about, or any combination of the above.? Much of life will have its boundaries and limitations, but where you lay your line, how well the traveled passage is preserved, and how much enjoyment you derive from it is really a matter left up to your choosing.? So learn from all of your mistakes and choose wisely, remembering it?s not necessarily the destiny that?s important but rather its journey.