We all have a mouse and a lion inside.
This summer my nearly 3 year old daughter and I have been taking advantage of the wonderful children’s theatre shows that London has to offer. Last week we went to see “The Lion Inside” at The Unicorn Theatre, which was an excellent production that we both really enjoyed.
For those of you not familiar with the story, here’s a short synopsis. The two main protagonists of the story are: a very tiny little mouse, who doesn’t get noticed much and a loud lion who is “shouty and tough and made of strong stuff” with a very loud roar!
The tiny little mouse is tired of feeling small and not getting noticed. He dreams of roaring like the lion but realises that the only way he can learn to roar is to ask the lion to teach him. But he’s afraid. He has to learn to conquer his fear of approaching the lion and in doing so, step out of his comfort zone.
After lots of positive self-talk, (there’s lots of positive psychology influences in the story), he musters the courage to approach the lion. But in a surprising turn of events, after the mouse asks the lion for help, the lion turns out to be afraid of mice!
How many times have you experienced something like this in your life? Where you thought one thing about someone or a situation, but turned out to be completely different?
When the Lion tells the mouse that he’s scared of mice, the mouse comforts him and suggests they become friends and then he doesn’t feel so small anymore.
“He had found his true voice and learned to speak out and for that you don’t need to roar or to shout”.
The lion learns from the mouse how to be less scary and the mouse learns how to feel less small and the unlikely pairing become friends. Through determination and bravery, the mouse discovers that courage isn’t about size but about heart and persistence.
This tale is a beautiful metaphor for our personal and professional lives. We all face moments of doubt and insecurity, questioning our abilities and self-worth, believing that others are better, braver and more accomplished than us, when often they have their own insecurities too. The story offers a powerful reminder that even the smallest voice can make the biggest difference
If you’re feeling unsure or scared about speaking up, take inspiration from the little tiny mouse.
Believe in Yourself: Like the mouse, recognise your unique strengths and potential. Self-belief is the first step towards achieving your dreams. “He thought like a Winner”
Embrace Your Inner Strength: Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. Embrace your inner lion, even if you feel like a mouse. “The mouse, while still little, felt BIG in his head”
Take Small Steps: Progress often starts with small, consistent actions. Celebrate your little victories—they lead to big achievements.
Seek Support and Mentorship: Just as the mouse learns from the lion, find mentors who inspire and guide you.
Persevere: Challenges are part of the journey. Stay persistent,and remember that setbacks are stepping stones to success.
How might we channel the spirit of “The Lion Inside” in our daily lives, supporting one another and stepping out of our comfort zone so that we feel BIG inside and finding our voice in the process?
As the little mouse says, “if you want things to change, you first have to change YOU”.
If you’re looking to change something in your life but feel like you need some help to do it, get in touch for a friendly chat.