Act Like a Hippo, Not a Tiger
Compared to the intimidating eyes of a Bengal Tiger or the high-pitched laugh of a hyena, you wouldn’t think the hippopotamus is a threatening animal. It’s not inherently a predator, but it is large. The hippo can be as long as 16 feet, and an adult male typically weighs between 3,000 and 4,000 lbs., which is no small creature compared to a human being. That being said, its presence in a calm state looks fairly inviting and pleasant. You can see hippos bounce through the water at zoos and watch them eat vegetables all day long, getting the impression that they are peaceful creatures.
Anyone who has heard or seen a video of a hippopotamus being threatened knows that they are completely different animals. Forget the sweet, big vegetarian in the water; the hippo that feels threatened will kill anything in its sight. They are intensely territorial creatures, defending themselves and their family with the bite strength that is roughly 9x stronger than that of a German Shepherd. It can snap a canoe or break bones instantly with its powerful jaws. Even crocodiles and lions are hesitant to confront this mighty creature, because they know what they are capable of. The hippo does not get stomped on and pushed around – they stand their ground.
One of the lessons from the mighty hippo is the key difference between confidence and ego. When we see ego in ourselves or others, it is a pride-filled reaction to the world around us, feeling an unprovoked sense of drama to display ourselves to others. Confidence, on the other hand, does not feel the need to flaunt its strength and only uses it when necessary. Confidence chooses its moments carefully. Like the hippo, which does not go around attacking every bird or fish in its sight, a confident person simply lives his or her life in their own skin. It is only when they are threatened that a different strength comes out.
When someone attempts to stomp on you, there is no shame in fighting back. It is within your power and even your responsibility to take care of yourself if you feel threatened. This is not a call to violence; rather, a call away from passivity and irresponsibility. When the moment requires it of you, stand your ground. Do not let someone stomp on you.
Arrogance is seeing everything as a slight. It’s like Michael Jordan, who was famous for always “taking things personally.” Confidence, on the other hand, is a clear and stable direction you are heading in life, and you know that no matter what happens around you, you will not falter. Confidence is like the durable Honda Civic, which keeps going past 300,000 miles when the other cars have given up and gone to the junkyard. Responding to the attacks of others is only done when the moment calls for it, when someone tries to make you shrink and tear down your self-worth. Those moments call for a moment of defense, not because you want yourself to be known, but because your integrity will be strengthened when you stand up for yourself. The strong man knows how to withhold power and use it only when needed, while the weak man uses his power loosely and flamboyantly.
Be confident in who you are, and keep moving in the direction that you know is right for you. Listen to your gut when something doesn’t make sense. Keep on the path of life you were made for, and don’t let anything stand in your way.
