Finding Milele
Milele, it lives in you, it lives in me.
Two days ago, I watched Mufasa: The Lion King, a story rich with themes of legacy, love, and destiny. But as the credits rolled, my mind was consumed by a singular word: milele.
It means "forever" in Swahili, but in the context of the film, the film is a distant location "where the light touches the land."
Milele represents a place of eternal safety and abundance, symbolising stability and security. In the movie, Mufasa's mother, Afia, describes Milele as "located at the farthest point, past the deepest canyon, where the light touches the land."
Yesterday, I sat at home after doing some laundry; I couldn't stop thinking: What does it mean to find your milele, and how does one navigate the complexities of life to discover it?
The concept of Milele can be seen as a metaphor for our quest to find fulfilment and purpose in life. Just as Mufasa and his companions journey through waterfalls, canyons, and mountain ranges to reach Milele, we, too, must navigate various challenges and obstacles in our pursuit of personal growth and self-actualisation.
Finding your milele is the intersection of three profound elements: the dreams we cherish, the environments that allow us to thrive, and the people who bring out the best in us. Mufasa takes on the journey to Milele to look for those three things!
To find our Milele, we must embark on self-discovery and perseverance.
As Mufasa demonstrates in the film, this journey often requires courage, determination, and the willingness to face our fears. The movie reminds us that "Milele lives in you, it lives in me", suggesting that our personal Milele is not just an external destination but also an internal state of being.
"Beyond the horizon
Beyond the last cloud in the sky
There's a place I know
Imagine a kingdom
The water flows
The grass is high
It's not a dream
Someday, we'll go
We call it
Milele
It's always there
Milele
It lives in you
It lives in me
You'll see."
In our quest for Milele, we may encounter sceptics or face our doubts, much like the movie's characters who question this mythical place's existence.
Throughout the film, some animals discourage him, dismissing Milele as a fantasy or something only "the cubs believe in." Nevertheless, the film encourages us to maintain our faith and determination, reminding us that the pursuit can be meaningful and transformative.
Allow me to pull you closer. What does the journey of finding Milele have in common with personal growth?
In Mufasa's journey to find Milele, he encounters a diverse cast of characters who shape his path and personal growth, mirroring how those around us influence our lives.
As foes, he faces Kiros, the vengeful leader of the white lions, and King Obasi, who initially resists Mufasa's adoption into the royal family.
These adversaries challenge Mufasa, forcing him to confront his fears and grow stronger, much like how life's obstacles push us to evolve. He finds family in Uru, who nurtures his talent as a hunter and teaches him to sit and visualise his scent, and Taka, who becomes his Brotheeeeeeeerrrrrrrrr.
Despite moments of jealousy, Taka's love for his adopted brother later shines through when he saves Mufasa's life multiple times. Along the way, Mufasa finds love with Sarabi, forming a bond that will define their future as rulers of the Pride Lands. This relationship reflects how our connections with others can shape our destinies.
Mufasa also gains loyal friends in Zazu and Rafiki, who accompany him on his quest and later become trusted advisors. Rafiki, in particular, emerges as a crucial mentor figure. As a wise baboon shaman, he guides Mufasa with mystical insights and clairvoyant abilities. He plays a pivotal role in convincing Mufasa to embrace his destiny as a leader, even when Mufasa doubts himself.
Each character, whether foe (Kiros), family (Uru and Taka), lover (Sarabi), friend (Zazu), or mentor (Rafiki), contributes significantly to Mufasa's transformation from a vulnerable cub to the wise and respected king we know from the original Lion King story. Their interactions and influences help Mufasa navigate the challenges of his journey, ultimately leading him to discover his true self and his place in the circle of life.
This journey mirrors our own life experiences. Like Mufasa, we all face adversities, form relationships, and seek guidance from mentors. These experiences shape us, teaching us valuable lessons and helping us grow. Rafiki later states, "We can either run from our past or learn from it."
Now, the question you have is, Ivan, how? Let's now dive into our canyons and explore the three elements that I alluded to earlier. The dreams we cherish, the environments that allow us to thrive, and the people who bring out the best in us.
Defining Your Dreams
The first step to finding your milele begins with introspection. What do you truly want? This question seems simple, but it is one of life's greatest challenges.
Dreams are not static; they evolve as we grow and learn. For some, their milele might lie in pursuing art, science, or service. For others, it's found in building a family or fostering a community.
The key is to listen closely to the whispers of your soul—those moments of excitement, curiosity, and joy that point to what you value most. Our dreams are like the stars in the night sky, guiding us even when the path is unclear.
Thriving in the Right Environment
Once we identify our dreams, the next challenge is to place ourselves in environments that nourish them. Just as a lion thrives in the expanse of the savannah, we, too, need spaces that allow us to flourish.
These environments can be physical, like a city that inspires creativity, or emotional, like a relationship that nurtures our growth.
Sometimes, finding the right environment requires courage; we must leave behind the familiar and venture into the unknown. The right environment supports our dreams and shapes us into the best version of ourselves.
“Milele... It's about the continuation of hope and the search for joy and love and holding on to that.” Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Afia.
The Power of Connection
Finally, milele is incomplete without the people we love and learn to love. Life's greatest joys and triumphs are magnified when shared with those we love. These are the friends who believe in our dreams, the family who grounds us, and the mentors who guide us.
Finding your milele means building relationships that are rooted in authenticity and mutual growth.
It's about being surrounded by people who see our potential even when we doubt ourselves and remind us that we are never alone on this journey.
When surrounded by love and support, we find the courage to live authentically and pursue our milele with conviction.
Will it be easy? No, my gentle reader... you will lose family, face rejections, fight outsiders, face scepticism about your vision, figurative versions of floods and elephant stampedes and more.
Milele is not something we stumble upon; it is something we create through deliberate choices and unwavering hope. Every day offers an opportunity to move closer to where our dreams, surroundings, and connections converge. And when we find it, we discover who we are and who we are meant to be.
So what is next? Well, as Sarabi suggests, "Get ready to run!"
