Lion Wisdom: It is a Challenge to Stay on Top
Male lions are the kings in Africa but the bush is wild, unpredictable and
dangerous. If the male lion is not aware, alert and protective of his territory, he may well lose it all to a stronger contender. The dominant male lion becomes lazy once he has the pride under his command. Initially he can face any challenge from younger males, but the day will come when his lazy, only-hanging-in-there lifestyle will catch up with him.
A younger male will take over as the leader and the king of the jungle will be kicked out to live in isolation. Even the king of the beasts will starve to death if he refuses to act. The bottom line is that successes do not last forever. We must sometimes sail with the wind and sometimes against it – but sail we must!
Many of our life challenges and jobs are repetitive in nature, and the more we repeat what we are doing, the better the chance that we are becoming complacent without even realizing it. In the post-modern world the moment you begin to feel over-complacent with your situation, you face the danger of free-wheeling back down the slope of success as your hard-working competitors take over. You arrive as Mr. Big Shot but leave as Mr. Nobody. – Zulu proverb
Time and tide waits for no one. The rest of the world will move on whether you keep up or not. Everything that is taken for granted is taken away from you. How often do we have to lose something to understand the value of it?
From African Wisdom by Dr. Lanette Hattingh
Net Buddies,
Being lazy during coronavirus disruption is not how you will build a better future – you must keep working with Infinite Family to build skills that will get and keep them ahead in school and life.
Why do you think male lions become “lazy” once they have command of their pride?
In what areas of your life have you become lazy during the coronavirus lockdown?
Has this description of male lions changed your view of leadership? How?
Write your answers down on a piece of paper and keep it until you can bring it to the LaunchPads.
Read more about Dr. Lanette Hattingh
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Diego
February 6, 2023 at 10:01 amThe Lion becomes the main leader after having done the job to earn it. He enjoys life as it should be for all.
He’s always ready for a battle like a General. Of course all battles cannot be won by the same lion, time says. There’s a beginning and an end to everything, even for the stars in the sky.
If you work hard and smart you win big. He is a teacher, An example.
It’s not about “others” working “for him”. You work for yourself. Everyone can have his/her own kingdom, or simply proudly be part of the universal kingdom. The lion does not possess a single leave of grass.
He trained since he was small to become the leader of his life; for example: he learned the best moves, observed the weaknesses of others, sharpened his strengths, values and principles for the battles ahead, to win what he wanted.
Good thing this is only a metaphor, we are human beings and we can do all that at any time in our lives to achieve what we wish, to start our own kingdom of freedom and wisdom.
DRA
Timothy O'Mara
September 15, 2020 at 11:06 amHello again, Tsebo. You seem to be very interested in writing. That’s great because that’s the best (only?) way to get better. I’m going to ask you again to look at my rewrites of your sentences–which are again clearly written–and see how I’ve worked the question into the answer.
1. Because they are bosses and they command others to do their jobs.
(TIM) Male lions become lazy after taking command of their pride because they see themselves as bosses and command others to do their jobs.
2.I became lazy when sitting at home.
(TIM) During the coronavirus lockdown, I have become lazy when sitting at home. (I’d like to know what you feel you should be doing.)
3. No it has not because this lions are really lazy and I cannot be a lazy leader. Sometime in life you need to be your own hero.
(TIM) The description of male lions becoming lazy has not changed my opinion of what a leader should be. I am not a lazy person and would not become a lazy leader. Sometimes in life, you need to be your own hero.
Again, great work. I still want to hear more from you. Push yourself to go beyond the short answer.
Tim
Elizabeth Makhanya
July 31, 2020 at 9:45 am1. It’s because they let the other animals to do all the work for the them.
2. To me it’s when I wake up every morning.
Amy Stokes
August 27, 2020 at 4:04 pmHI Elizabeth,
How are you lazy when you wake up in the morning – does this mean you don’t get up right away and lay in bed longer?
Amy
Timothy O'Mara
September 15, 2020 at 10:57 amHey, Elizabeth. From what you wrote, it’s obvious you know how to write a clear and simple English sentence. That’s a great place to start. I’d like to hear more from you. One way to do that is to put the question into your answer. Please look at my examples which I’ve written below yours.
1. It’s because they let the other animals to do all the work for the them.
(TIM) Male lions become lazy once they have command over their tribes and then let the other members of the tribe do all the work for them.
2. To me it’s when I wake up every morning.
(TIM) The area of my life where I have become most lazy is when I wake up every morning.
Again, good work with the written English. Your responses show that you’ve read the article carefully. Please consider giving an example to support your answers next time. It brings the reader closer to understanding you, the writer.
Tsebo Damane
July 29, 2020 at 11:04 am1. Because they are bosses and they command others to do their jobs.
2.I became lazy when sitting at home.
3. No it has not because this lions are really lazy and I cannot be a lazy leader. Sometime in life you need to be your own hero.
Amy Stokes
August 27, 2020 at 4:05 pmExcellent responses Tsebo! Thank you. Amy