by lynjo (follow)

Courage (12)      Balance (7)      Strength (4)      Calmness (3)      Guardian (1)     

This rather evil looking lion statue can be found sitting among the wisteria flowers guarding over the entrance of some public gardens in Hobart. It's a good reminder that it can help us all to have someone or some thing to guard over us, to protect us, to keep us safe from harm.

The lion can symbolise this guardian, this source of courage and strength. Perhaps we have an inner lion. An ability to protect ourselves, to look out for ourselves and others to keep safe from harm. Perhaps we look to others to help keep us safe.

Perhaps there are times in our lives we tend to look to others more than we might usually.Times when we feel vulnerable or unwell.Times when we are worn down, exhausted or overwhelmed.

Perhaps there have been times when we've become lion-like to protect or support someone else. This might be especially the case as parents when our inner lion takes over when our children are in any kind of danger.

One wonders when looking a bit more closely at the lion whether it is as mean as it looks.Its glaring eyes and razor sharp teeth certainly send a message of danger, of readiness to pounce and protect the territory at all costs. Its gentle paws on the other hand suggest a softness, a calmness, control and balance. If the lion was really going to pounce wouldn't it have its claws out as well?

Perhaps our guardians also need a balance of being evil and calmness. Perhaps this balance prevents an over-reaction, jumping to conclusions and the risk of making a situation worse. Perhaps balance is what helps us to be ready to negotiate or to back away if that's a better option during risky times. Too much courage might not always be helpful. Having courage might sometimes mean walking away.

# Guardian
# Courage
# Strength
# Balance
# Calmness

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