The refuge of avoidance: living in Hakuna Matata.
Inspired by Simba’s Life with Timon and Pumbaa.
Character Context
After fleeing the Pride Lands, Simba meets Timon (a meerkat) and Pumbaa (a warthog). They take him in and introduce him to a new philosophy:
“Hakuna Matata; it means no worries.”
They teach Simba to avoid his past and live only for the moment. For a while, it seems to work; he laughs, sings, and eats grubs. But deep down, something is still missing.
Avoidance Disguised as Peace
Sometimes, when we’ve been deeply hurt, we don’t know how to heal—so we run. Not physically, but emotionally and spiritually.
We say:
- “I’m fine. It’s in the past.”
- “I just want to live my life and not think about it.”
- “No drama. No stress. Just good vibes.”
But that “peace” is often just emotional hiding. Like Simba, we can pretend we’ve moved on—but the wound still lives under the surface.
Modern Day Hakuna Matata
- Staying constantly busy
- Numbing with entertainment, food, sex, or alcohol
- Cutting off anyone who triggers old pain
- Laughing everything off with humor or sarcasm
Case Study
Kwesi, 32, was betrayed by a close friend and decided to “cut everyone off” to protect his peace. He says he’s unbothered, but deep down, he feels lonely and distrustful. Hakuna Matata became a mask, not a solution.
The Invitation
Real peace isn’t the absence of pain; it’s the presence of healing.
Simba could not truly step into who he was until he faced what he had run from. And neither can we.
Reflection Questions
What “Hakuna Matata” mindset have you adopted to avoid pain?
What are you afraid might happen if you face your past?
What do you need to begin processing instead of burying?
