Written 11.22.11
When Lion King in 3D came out in theaters, I made it a point to watch the Disney flick that once made me cry many years ago. It’s funny what time, and life experiences do to you. You watch a cartoon as an over-analytical adult and a wilderbeast stampede has completely new meaning.
I didn’t think that the Lion King would ever change my life, but it did. I almost cringed in embarrassment just typing that. While there had already been a spark in my soul yearning to spread like wildfire, a specific scene in the movie caused winds to blow and flames to spread.
Simba had been in the jungle with Pumba and Timon just shooting the shit for so long, that he had forgotten who he was. His purpose and promise in life was overshadowed by his newfound Hakuna Ma’tata lifestyle. Until Mufasa’s ghost visisted him from the heavens and said, “You are more than what you have become.”
I had to wipe tears from underneath my 3D glasses at that point. It’s OK, you can laugh. I did. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it was exactly what I needed to hear from a cartoon lion at that second in my life. While I was grateful for my life, I wasn’t happy with it. My dead-end job was getting in the way of my work, and I was sitting on top of a goldmine as if it were a pile of coal. But we musn’t forget, pressure makes diamonds. Well bling, blang, blao bitch! The very next day I made probably the best mistake to date. Like every mistake, we learn from them. And I’ve learned more about myself in the past week, than I have in the past year. I can hardly even call it a “mistake” now can I?
If you’re anything like me then you are your own worst enemy, and you are your biggest critic. But don’t forget that you are also your very best friend at the same time. If you’re anything like me though, you’ll forget more than you’ll remember. So let me help remind you …
“YOU ARE MORE THAN WHAT YOU HAVE BECOME.” You have more control of your life than you think. Take inspiration from anywhere and everywhere (even from a make-believe lion). It’s never too late to do the right thing, or in my case, the write thing.