Metaphors shape the way we see the world around us. Using comparisons is common in everyday language and even used in the way we see ourselves and our health. Sickness is a battle, time is money, happy as a fiddle, these are just some few common metaphors that are said. They empower us to understand how someone is feeling or what things are like. It bridges our gap in understanding the world around us. But when you compare two things are expectations are made, if sickness is a battle then the expectations of a victor or loser is made. This can lead to unhealthy thoughts, and could cause patients to have unrealistic thoughts about how their body is operating.

Sickness is a battle, time is money, happy as a fiddle these are common phrases in day to day life that have been heard by most. To compare two unlike things is the basic definition of a metaphor. Metaphors shape the way we look at the world and are used as a tool to help bridge our understanding with unknown ideas and events. This literary device is used not only in everyday conversation, but also found in hospitals, churches, and many billboards. For years metaphors became a way to market goods and promote business. In the medical world metaphors are used to come sickness to a battle, our bodies become more than human they take on the imagery of war. Our white blood cells being the soldiers attacking the sickness inside us. When these comparisons are made are unrealistic expectations made? If we compare ourselves to a battle, do we place a victor or loser title on ourselves? This could lead to unhealthy thoughts, causing many to want to soldier on even when it is grim.