July is National Ice Cream month so naturally one of my articles had to be about one of my favorite things -- ice cream! I work at an ice cream shop and am surrounded by ice cream all day. Since I both work and love ice cream, I decided to write an article about how life is like an ice cream cone and how each portion of an ice cream cone relates to a portion of life to celebrate one of the best delicacies to beat the summer heat.
The Cone
The cone represents the people in your life that you count on. The sturdy structure of the cone signifies the people that you classify as "your rock," or the ones you rely on for their support and stability. In an ever changing world, they are the constants and the stable force that you can lean on.
The Ice Cream
The ice cream represents yourself. Ice cream, like people, come in variations and can be hard or soft. The hard ice cream cones or people, are reserved, tough and stubborn; whereas the soft serve ice cream cones are the people who wear their hearts on their sleeves. There are also countless flavors allowing each ice cream their own individuality. The diverse and abundant flavors reflect the innumerable personalities and appearances people have. Be careful though, because no matter how resistant and unbreakable you think you are if you are constantly "feeling the heat" or under pressure from different factors, just like an ice cream cone, you can melt.
The Hot Fudge
Speaking of melting, the next portion is hot fudge. Hot fudge symbolizes the negative parts of your life. Hot fudge can overtake the ice cream and become too much, similar to stress, and that negativity can take over and overwhelm you. The hot fudge can initially seem like a great idea and taste delicious, but eventually it melts the ice cream and leaves it in shambles. The hot fudge's appearance is dark, signifying negativity, and can cloud the ice cream. However, there is a paradox. The tension of the opposites: the dark hot fudge and light cold ice cream brings together a transcendent third. When brought together the fudge and ice cream is greater than by themselves. Like in life, you have to have the dark and negative moments and experiences to distinguish and enjoy the light. There is no light without the dark and it can seem like they are polar opposite, but they really build upon each other and need to work together in a healthy balance to make a more well-rounded person, or ice cream cone.
The Sprinkles
The sprinkles represent the things that embellish your life. These are your passions and hobbies -- the things you're interested in and enjoy that bring a sweetness and happiness to your life.
The Cherry On Top
The cherry on top is the final touch. It doesn't appear all of the time, but it is the moments in life when everything has come together in a perfect moment is the ultimate treat. It signifies those moments where you are completely and utterly happy with your life and accomplishments -- where you have taken both the good and the bad and are entirely content. These moments are rare, but are so amazing and leave you craving them and longing for seconds.
There are endless combinations and possibilities of ice cream whether it is moose tracks, green mint chip, cookie dough, cookies 'n cream and the classic banana split or comes in a cup or a cone. These countless possibilities mirror people and reveal that just like an ice cream cone, each life is a different combination and each person is on their own journey. "Life is like ice cream, taste it before it melts," Unknown.
