Lessons learned from The Lion King
After my recent stay in South Africa and a subsequent extended visit to a family with a 5-year old I had a lot of opportunity to engage with Simba’s story. In Africa, at Disneyland in Paris, in the movie and audio book, drawings and countless role-plays with Scar, Nala and Pumba in the nursery.
It’s been fun but it also made me realize some messages I missed as a child. Whatever your favorite Disney film, I am sure if you rewatch it now, you’ll feel the same. Pocahontas has some beautiful quotes about equality, for example. But today is about the Lion King.
A delicate balance
When Mufasa shows Simba his kingdom at sunrise, he tells him how everything lives in a delicate balance. 5 year olds understand that when the lions exploit the natural resources too much, the balance tips and makes their home uninhabitable for them. Sarabi explains to Scar how they won’t be able to survive there any longer.
It is such an obvious causation that the principle of connectedness has been a running gag between my best friend and myself since we were taught it school. Kids get this! How come adults forget?
Hakuna Matata
I love all the lessons Pumba and Timon teach Simba. Leave the past behind you. Live in the moment. Enjoy this life. If you don’t fit it, break out. Live within your means (eat worms if you have no antelopes to hunt). Be happy with what you have. Don’t worry, but be cautious (he’s a lion. He eats creatures like us!). Positive, solution oriented thinking (but what if he grows up and is on our side?). Home is not a place, but “people” – they come with Simba to his kingdom and leave the jungle for him.
Rafiki
Life is a never ending cycle. You’re only dead when you’re forgotten. Celebrate life! Know who you are and be true to yourself.
Scar
Karma will take care of it, just let her do her thing. In the end it matters not how high you climbed the ladder, but what kind of person you are. Your family can hurt you the most. Take care of whom you lead and keep your promises to them or they have no reason to be loyal.
What lessons did you learn from The Lion King? Comment below!
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