Pride
Last week I was in the Serengeti.
Serengeti by the way means “endless plains.” And that it definitely is. This was my second time in the Serengeti but my first time seeing male lions; my favorite animal in the world, solely for their mane. On this day I got to see two male lions with one female lion. They were napping under the cloudy skies belly up.
At first I thought, maybe it is lonely at the top. Just like all the photos that circulate around social media featuring an old male lion with a glorious mane with the words “It’s lonely at the top” plastered across the image. I mean, were they wrong? The millions of zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles certainly didn’t hang around them as they are the lions’ favorite meal.
But then that evening, I saw a pride of lions; 18 females to be exact. They were stalking a herd of old male Cape Buffalo. My guide told me lion prides can be as large as 40 lions! 40! Can you imagine?!
A pride is made up primarily of female lions; they are the hunters because they are lean and fast. Then there are a few male lions: the pride leader and a few strong males. The males are the pride protectors because they are ginormous and strong. Their roar can be heard up to five miles away! Lastly, there are the little cubs.
It was here as I watched these 18 females that I realized that the “King of the Jungle” is far from lonely. In fact, they are purposely surrounded by their strong and chosen pride members. You see, a lion’s pride doesn’t necessarily mean biological family members; their kin often joins other prides.
A pride is chosen and built.
The words “It’s lonely at the top” does not apply to the Kings of the Jungle. In fact, if a male lion poses a threat to the pride he is outcasted. At this point, the outcasted male lion must either take over a pride, develop a pride, or starve to death because males are not the hunters. Thus, the lonely lion is not the strongest lion. The lonely lion is not the one “at the top.” The lonely lion is dying from starvation.
The lesson from the lions comes at a very special time in my life; at the ending of a three year relationship and two year engagement. And though I could easily slip into a mindset that questions my life choices and whether or not I’ll end up lonely, I actually know that 1) I’ve always had a strong pride, and 2) I’ve always had an ability to build a pride well.
My pride makeup isn’t so different from the lions’. I’m blessed to have a handful of incredible female friends who’ve never left my side and encourage me to be my truest self. I have a few male friends who believe in me more than I believe in myself and somehow always know exactly what to say. And lastly, I have a few kin (I actually despise that word and prefer family members) that are more like best friends who LOVE to talk grandiose goals. And because of this chosen pride I’ve always felt “on top” of the world; no loneliness in my bones…historically speaking.
So if you’re reading this and feeling a little alone in this world, let the lions be your guide to start building your pride.
BE You, Better.
~ Belay
Me with Elisha, my Serengeti guide, and the Lanters.
