Category: Friendships

One of my favorite movies is Disney’s The Lion King because there are many messages that apply to our lives as men and especially to our friendships. My next post in the series, New Year; New Types of Friends, continues the subset of examples of animated friendships. In this post, I highlight lessons from some friendships that show us how to confront our past and live more worry-free in order to become the men God designed us to be.  One is the lovable happy-go-lucky meerkat, Timon, and his kindhearted, sensitive friend, Pumbaa, a warthog. This fun-loving duo shows us that we all need loyal friends to lean on during difficult times.  The other comes from Rafiki, the wise baboon who helps young Simba remember who he is and where he comes from. In each of their own ways, Simba’s friends help him overcome the lies he was told about his

As I continue this subset of animated friendships in literature for my series, New Year; New Types of Friends, I present another example that fits the bill of a book, cartoon, and even a recent movie. Winnie the Pooh and his friend Christoper Robin teach us several things about love,life, and friendship that apply to even into adulthood, especially that friendships stick together like honey. As Pooh often says, “A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.” The Value of Children’s Stories  Growing up, many of us have learned valuable lessons from classic children’s books. The stories of Christopher Robin and his imaginary friends: Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo teach us how to be kind and cherish the people we meet along our journey. Although only a child, Christopher Robin is much wiser and more mature than any

My next example of a quality friendship in my series, New Year; New Types of Friends qualifies as both printed literature and a cartoon. The Jungle Book was written as a book in 1894 by Rudyard Kipling about a boy named Mowgli, who grows up in the jungle among his animal friends. Kipling’s book became even more popular after the 1967 Disney animated movie which humanized the animals. In particular, the film features Baloo, the bear, who helps Mowgli learn the “bare necessities” of life. Baloo has stripped down the unnecessary complications to enjoy a life of simplicity. Baloo is a great example of a friend who helps us eliminate stress and find happiness; something every man needs.  About Rudyard Kipling  Joseph Rudyard Kipling (December 30, 1865 – January 18, 1936) was an English novelist, short-story writer, poet, and journalist. He was born in British India, which inspired much of