Alright let’s dive into how I got tangled up with figuring out what lions really mean on a deeper level. Buckle up, it’s a bit of a ride.
It all started last Tuesday. I was walking near that overgrown park downtown, the one with the crumbling stone fountain, when this massive graffiti lion stopped me dead in my tracks. Seriously, someone spray-painted this huge, kinda angry-looking lion head on the side of the old laundromat wall. It just stared at me. Felt weirdly personal, you know? Got me thinking: why do lions keep popping up everywhere? Statues, logos, dreams my weird cousin keeps talking about… There’s gotta be more to it than just being “king of the jungle.” Felt like the universe was nudging me.
How the digging began
So, Wednesday morning, fueled by cheap coffee and that weird lion vibe, I raided my own bookshelf. Found three old, dusty books my grandma gave me ages ago about animal symbols and mythology. Blew the dust off – literally. Started flipping through them like a madman searching for treasure.
Here’s what jumped out:
- Leadership Stuff: Almost every ancient culture – Egyptians, Greeks, even some Asian traditions – slapped the lion on kings, gods, and warriors. It wasn’t just about being scary strong. It was about standing your ground, protecting your people, and not flinching when things get tough.
- Courage Muscle: More than just bravery in a fight. The books talked about “inner courage,” like facing stuff that scares you silly inside your own head. Things like admitting you’re wrong, making tough choices, or just facing Monday mornings.
- Energy Charge: One beat-up book mentioned lions representing this raw life force energy, like getting out of bed feeling unstoppable instead of hitting snooze five times.
Made sense. That wall lion definitely had a “don’t mess with me” energy. But reading felt… flat. Like I was getting the answers second-hand.
Getting Stuck (& A Bit Silly)
Wanted to feel it, not just read it. Thursday rolled around. Remembered that meditation thing people talk about. Okay, fine. Sat on my creaky office chair after lunch, closed my eyes, tried to picture a majestic lion on the African savannah. Did all the breathing… in… out… focused real hard…
Total fail.
- Started overthinking the grocery list.
- My neighbor started mowing his lawn. Seriously loud.
- Got distracted imagining that lion judging my messy room.
Felt ridiculous. Tried again Friday morning. Slightly better. Managed to hold the image for maybe… 90 seconds? Didn’t feel a surge of kingly energy or courage. Felt like I was mostly just sitting there trying not to think about lawnmowers. Kinda frustrating.
The Weird Moment It Clicked
Then Saturday happened. Had to go to that awkward family lunch thing. You know the one. Uncle Steve started going on about politics again, loud and wrong. Usually I shrink down, smile, stare at my plate. Easy way out. But that stupid lion face popped into my head. That “don’t mess with me” stare.
Took a breath that felt way too deep for comfort. Instead of nodding like a bobblehead, I just said, really calm but firm, “Actually, Uncle Steve, I don’t see it that way.” Short, simple, didn’t pick a fight, just planted my feet. Didn’t roar, didn’t get into a big argument. Just held my ground.
Steve blinked. Looked surprised. Changed the topic. Small win? Maybe. But it felt massive.
Walking back to my car afterwards, it hit me: That was the lion energy. Right there in a suburban backyard with overcooked green beans. It wasn’t about roaring battles or feeling fearless. It was about that quiet core of strength. Choosing not to disappear. Choosing to say “no” or “this is me” in a tiny, everyday moment when I usually folded. Protecting my own little pride, which is basically my sanity. It felt grounded. Real.
Putting It Together
So, the spiritual lion thing? For me, right now, at this creaky kitchen table finishing this note? It boils down to this:
- Strength is claiming your space, even if it’s just a chair at a noisy lunch table.
- Courage is facing the little daily battles inside your own mind.
- Leadership starts with leading your own dang self.
- It’s messy. It’s not always majestic. Sometimes it just means speaking up when you’d rather swallow the words.
That spray-painted lion wasn’t being angry. Maybe it was just reminding me: Stand up. Don’t vanish. Even if it starts small. The king energy is yours to tap into, right where you are. Now excuse me while I try to channel that for tackling my email inbox.
