ALPHA LION

By: Cynthia Litman

Pearl of the Day: A hug is mightier than a Roar

Lion

My dad often reminds me of the pearl that his role as the protector of the family is not just to protect his cubs from the outside world but to also protect us from ourselves.

Yes, I can be my own worst enemy. The mighty jungle that is the outside world seems tamer knowing that my dad has got my back. He is my ultimate shield and sword.

As I prepare my children to go out into the jungle they are learning there are all types of friends, foes and predators with the fearsome of all - the Alpha Lion.

If you knew you were the King of the Jungle would you stress out?

Let’s see. The Alpha Lion has the triple responsibility to protect itself, cubs and its herd. Let alone keep up its regal nature and mystique. And be ready to dual off any advancing young strapping lions ready to claim the thrown. It dominates its space and selects its mates by the same technique. Yep, I’d need some Prozac.

What if we (your women) reminded you (our men) that you are the King of the Jungle?

The lion may be at the top of the food chain yet in the house are typically regulated to second chair. Men may have their domains yet answer to the lioness. The domains that are off limits to the lioness typically are the electronics, utility closet and Barbeque. That’s it, guys, be happy you get even 3! Okay fine, you can have the man chair too.

My dad is the reining king of the BBQ. People come from far and wide when he’s at the grill. Electronics, well let’s just say he’s been overthrown, the new younger lion, my husband claimed this as his territory. And as for the utility closet, well, the handy dandy do-it-yourself daddy is now officially my brother in law. My dad used to have sole claim over the blue room (aka his man cave) in his house but my kids claimed this as their playroom. So enjoy the BBQ dad!

And he does. My dad busted out his “Grill Sergeant” t-shirt this weekend and took helm at the BBQ for my son’s family birthday party. Throughout the party I watched as the men gravitated towards the meat station, women were the sunscreen queens and the kids played and realized this is not much different than the animal kingdom.

We set up the baby pool for the kids and the older ones immediately peeled off their clothes and dove right in. They were in and out and splashing and diving in and playing wildly in and around the watering hole. Off to the side the younger kids waited, patiently. When the older kids came out to go eat their meat, that’s when the younger kids gravitated towards and quietly took their turn in the pool.

They marked their territories (I’m sure something got peed on), squabbled over toys, squealed with delight at the sprinklers and did a jungle boogie the entire day.

Hunting down meat for the grill is easier when you are the Alpha Lion, the title alone is like a built in stun gun. Hunting remains instinctually in man's blood evidenced by a friend who comes home with a different stuffed animal every week. The Lionesses hunting instinct evolved more into the bargain shoe hunt then the helicopter moose hunt.

Yet when you are the one targeted as prey a whole different dynamic takes shape. My sister and I still believe our dad could protect us from anyone or anything. With dad, you are safe.

What scared us was whether he’d return safely from the jungle. When the hunters go out you never know if all will return. We watched my dad get up at ridiculous morning hours and head off to work, come home late and do it all again. He did it for his family. That was his role, the provider. Conquering the concrete jungle to bring home bacon to sustain his family.

In the jungle your precepts of safety and security are always threatened. Your guard must always be up. You must depend on your instincts and herd to take to their roles to protect you. With all this on your shoulders we will forgive you for not being able to dress your kids in matching outfits.

The most core source of a cub’s power is knowing that your family is your mane-stay. That when you do come in from the jungle you are safe. So engage with your cubs and teach them how to roar as loudly and proudly as they can.

Always, always, always follow up with a hug! :)