Pride Rock, a reflection. Some watched in tears, others swelled with pride, and there were those select few who were lifted as I was. What was the moment? Watching? no...Listening? no...*feeling* the emotions invoked when Simba began his ascent of Pride Rock. The music had died down to a droll rumble without my knowledge, and we all sat watching as he greeted the lionesses and gave an affectionate nuzzle to Nala. A rattle, a direction...then the words of the wise shaman: "It is time." Then he was off, stepping to the base of The Rock. As the lookers on marvelled the music swelled to emotional proportions. Every step taken forward is with pride and power, every step away from the past and towards and uncertain future. Stepping lightly, carefully, yet lithely onward to a long foreseen destiny, his majestic head rises. He looks to the sky where a part forms, revealing the stars; a sign of grace from the great kings, and his greatest loss... It only takes a moment, it only takes a second, but things change visibly and emotionally. The last spoken word echos through the sky: "Remember..." Then, with pride and triumph, Simba roared to the sky. . . We all have days when we feel a bit down, a bit less than we could or should be. It seems as if life has thrown us a lemon too big to be ignored and too sour to make lemonade. It is when I hit this emotional low that I turn my attention to what I fondly refer to as 'The Rock'. Not to be confused with some movie, Pride Rock is a symbol to me. It is the ultimate symbol of self-actualization, the ultimate goal to be achieved, the ultimate win, and the ultimate happiness. It is a point in life when you are above all, and can look down and see how far you've risen, perhaps how hard or easy your ascent has been, or perhaps just to reflect. Then, glancing up through the rain, you can see that challenges lie ahead, troubles may befall you, and danger may lurk about every corner. But through the dark and bleak sheets of water a hole forms, giving a glimpse of the greatness that is still left to achieve. "Remember..." This is the greatest consolation of all: Remember!. Never before has so much power and meaning been put behind this single word! Remember . . . that there are those who have gone before you. Remember . . . that there are always those worse off than you. And most importantly... Remember . . . who you are. What good is the ultimate victory, if you lose your sense of purpose and self in its wake? Many have climbed their private 'rocks' at points in their lives. Many will never go any farther than the first few steps. I can see myself well on The Rock now... Sometimes taking three steps forward, at others, jumping back once or twice. The rain gets harder, the path more slippery, but I tread on, pushing against whatever force that comes my way, rolling with the winds. Why do I persevere in the face of such adversity? Because I have seen the ultimate end, I see what *can* be. And I know that it lies within each and every one of us to make it there with what we are given. I look forward, and dream...one day I'm going to reach the top of that rock, and I'll see over all that has passed me and all that is left to be. In that fine, sweet moment, I can only pause for three things. I will remember... I will reflect... I will roar. -Simba W.