"My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate"

Thornton Wilder's quote, "My guidance to you is not to ask why or whither, however simply enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate," works as a metaphorical pointer to live in today and enjoy life's short lived minutes. At its core, this statement recommends that life is full of intricacies and unpredictabilities, and the perpetual pursuit of responses to every "why" and "whither" can diminish valuing what we have here and now. The imagery of ice cream, which is short-term and rapidly melting, completely encapsulates the ephemeral nature of life's enjoyments.

By advising versus the continuous questioning of "why" things take place or "whither" they will lead, Wilder highlights the futility of looking for control over life's unpredictability. Often, individuals get caught up in a cycle of overthinking and planning, which can eclipse the simpleness and joy of the present moment. This state of mind can lead to stress and anxiety and stress, robbing people of the happiness found in easy enjoyments.

The metaphor of delighting in ice cream while it's on your plate speaks to the concept of mindfulness, a practice that encourages being totally immersed in the present experience without distraction or judgment. Just as ice cream melts and can no longer be appreciated once it's gone, life, too, is short-term. By concentrating on the now, people can cultivate a much deeper gratitude for their experiences and relationships.

Wilder's suggestions is an invite to welcome the spontaneity and flaw of life. It encourages a shift from a future-oriented frame of mind to one that values the existing minute, advising people to discover balance between reflection and experiencing life as it unfolds. This perspective is not about negligence of responsibility or a rejection to plan. Rather, it's about recognizing the worth of now-- delighting in life's "ice cream" before it dissolves, leaving just is sorry for of what wasn't valued when it was still on our plate.