5 powerful life lessons we can all learn from Disney’s ‘The Lion King’
The live-action remake of the 1994 animated classic is filled with great advice for those who...look harder
'The Lion King' has powerful life lessons for those who look harder.The Lion King is one of the most beloved Disney movies ever, owing to its heartwarming story, magnificent score and universal message. The new live-action movie is no different as it perfectly captures the original film's essence and gives it a modern-day CGI upgrade.
There are many lessons that we can learn from the film, whether it's from the wise Mufasa or the fun-loving Timon and Pumbaa.
Here are some takeaways of what we can all learn from The Lion King. There are some minor plot giveaways, so a spoiler alert is necessary!
Hakuna Matata
In the movie, Simba runs away from the Pride Lands feeling alone and guilty, as his uncle had caused him to believe he was responsible for his father's death. He meets Timon and Pumbaa, who tell him, "Hakuna Matata", which means,“don’t worry, be happy” in Swahili.
This phrase can be used in everyday life too. Whenever you feel a bit under the weather, remember that there are many reasons to be happy. Remember all the good times you have had, and what there is to look forward to. If you are upset because your friend said something rather mean, remember that it is a good thing you found out your friend was mean, otherwise you could have been in for a bad time.
Just be yourself
In the movie, Pumbaa explains how no-one wanted to interact with him, and that Timon and him are considered to be outcasts. However, Pumbaa learned to love himself just the way he is.
Similarly, at school, you come across many people. You might feel like you really admire someone else’s lifestyle: the way they talk, the things they have or their fashion choices. But you must remember that you are unique, and if you try to mold yourself to another person’s lifestyle, then there are two of that person, and zero of you.
With great power comes great responsibility
When Musafa is talking to Simba about how he will be king some day, he explains that being a king isn’t only about having your way all the time, it is about doing good for the kingdom, and being fair to everyone who lives there.
Similarly, if you are a team captain or leader at school, you must be fair and choose people based on their skills, not if they are popular. You must play to people's strengths and ensure everyone is happy and treated fairly.
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Being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble
In the movie, Simba asks his dad how he can be more brave, after a situation with some hyenas nearly got him killed. Mufasa tells him that being brave isn’t inviting trouble to yourself.
An excellent example is when you go out with your friends. They may want to put themselves in dangerous situations like going on a dangeous hike, or climbing a scary mountain. You may also want to show how brave you are, so you want to try to do that too. But remember, do not put yourself in a position that would make you nervous or potentially cause any physical harm to yourself. That’s definitely not brave.
Let the past be the past
When Timon and Pumbaa find Simba in the desert, they ask him where he came from, and what happened to him, however Simba doesn't want to talk about it. Timon gives a fitting response by saying, “let the past be the past.”
This philosophy works in real life too. If you feel like you did really badly on a test, don’t brood over it. Reflect on what you did wrong, and think of how you can get better. Don’t become obsessed with the past. Learn from the mistakes and work on how you can get better.