Life Lessons | Self
10 Ways That Life Truly Is Like a Box Of Chocolates
#3. Sweet, salty, and nutty are all part of the journey
Sitting at a bus stop, in Savannah Georgia, Forrest Gump inspired millions with this iconic line:
“Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
In an instant, the world’s head tilted. This simple metaphor rings true throughout all aspects of life. Here are 10 ways that life truly is like a box of chocolates.
1. Life needs variety
There’s nothing better than popping the top off of a layered chocolate assortment. Light, dark, filled, stuffed, where to start? Just like in life, we all have our favourites.
We gravitate towards certain people or activities because they make us feel safe. But, becoming too attached to security blankets stunts our growth. Try a little bit of everything, you’ll be happy you did.
2. Don’t be fooled by a fancy exterior
In a delicious tray of chocolates, there are always a few wrapped in foil. I never understood it. It is a hygiene thing? A mistake? It’s still a mystery to me. But one thing is for certain, the tin foil-wrapped chocolates always seem to disappoint.
Either the fancy wrapping heightens our expectations or it’s used to mask a subpar product. Either way, life isn’t always what it seems. And for better or worse, you should never judge a book by its cover.
3. Sweet, salty, and nutty — it’s all part of the journey
Life can be amazing, regretful, and a little crazy at times. Sometimes, you bite into a promising piece of chocolate only to have your teeth stuck in a nougaty vice-grip. Others, you’re pleasantly surprised by the delicious interior. That odd dry-coated chocolate, for example, is often left until the very end only to be surprisingly delicious.
The fluffy chocolate, the messy one, the one with a coffee bean in the middle (for some reason), they all play their part. Even if you don’t understand it at the time.
4. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing
Humans are gluttonous and pleasure-seeking. We will overdo anything worth doing. Although eating an entire tray of assorted chocolates sounds amazing, 4–5 pieces in, your body will start to revolt. This eyes-bigger-than-the-stomach mentality goes for healthy activities as well. Eating clean, exercising, sex, and productivity can all be overdone.
Life is about balance and enjoying the journey. Most importantly, everything in moderation.
5. There’s always too much yet never enough
Everything in life is experienced through one filter — perspective.
It can seem like there are too many of the chocolates you don’t like and not enough of the ones you do. Someone else may feel the same way, only about completely different chocolates. Life is full of greener grass and sweeter sounds. You will continue to have too much and too little until you change your perspective.
All that is real is what we have now. Enjoy it.
6. Throw away the map — it’s more fun
Life does not come with a map. Even if it did, it wouldn’t do us much good to read it. Expectations lead to disappointment. Plus, they take the fun out of the journey. Just like the guide hidden in the top of a chocolate assortment, knowing what to expect is far less fun than diving in headfirst.
7. Taste is subjective
Everyone sees, smells, and tastes life’s treasures differently. You will never climb into another person’s head and think their thoughts or see exactly what they do. Because of this, the taste will always be subjective.
Understanding and being understood is so special because of how rare it is. We are all unique, and part of the fun of life is finding others that we connect.
8. Mystery is tantalizing
We love to be thrilled, shocked, and surprised. As children, peek-a-boo was exhilarating because of the mystery that lay behind those magical hands. “Would there be a silly face? A frowny one? Oh, the anticipation!” The mystery is exciting because it leads to new experiences.
We are wired to enjoy new experiences and goals. Our brains release the most dopamine just before achieving a goal, making the anticipation of a reward just as enjoyable as the reward itself. Speculating on what the next bite of chocolate will taste like makes you happy because… well, science.
9. Sharing is caring
Solidarity can be a powerful tool for building self-reliance. But, at the end of the day, what’s the point of being your best self if you have no one to share it with? We are tribal creatures. We want to be liked and connect with others. This is because, in the past, it meant survival.
Spread the love. It’s better that way.
10. One person’s trash is another’s treasure
You know that toffee chocolate that’s overly hard? Like a chocolate-covered brick? It’s my least favourite. I can’t imagine anyone liking it. Well, that same piece is surely millions of others’ absolute favourite.
Life is deeply personal. Actually, entirely. We all like what we like and find it hard to believe that others may not. Everything has value to someone and we shouldn’t judge.
One last piece of inspiration (pun intended)
If reading this has caused you to eat an exorbitant amount of chocolate in hopes of better understanding life, I apologize. Also, I’m glad you enjoyed reading.
After your chocolate sweats subside… and your heart stops racing… and your legs stop twitching, do the following. Drink some water and then run for precisely,
“ 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours” — just like Forrest.
Life is about balance.
For more on the topic of balance, I recommend this insightful story by Esther George.
👉 Join Hudson’s subscriber list, to have stories sent directly to you.👉 Not yet a Medium member? Become one and support Hudson!Assorted chocolates only come around 1–2 times a year. Sadly, so does the common cold. Here’s how to enjoy the winter without getting sick:
