Life is similar to the Disney movie, “Jungle Book”. We are all Mowgli. We come into the world lost and someone dictates where we end up. Then as life goes on we have to find our place. Like Mowgli, we have to explore the world to find our place. In this adventure to find our place there are many times we want to give up or we are attacked. Defeat seems so real and you can’t fight it. But there are two people in your life that are always there to pick you up, your Bagheera and Baloo.

For those who don’t know, Bagheera is the panther from Jungle Book. He is the one who finds Mowgli as a baby and gives him guidance. Bagheera is extremely cautious and keeps a close watch on Mowgli. Bagheera wants to protect Mowgli no matter what. While Mowgli and Bagheera don’t see eye-to-eye a lot and fight numerous times throughout the movie, Bagheera only wants the best for Mowgli.

We all need a Bagheera in our life. While we find this person annoying and never want to listen to them, they keep us grounded. They keep us safe. They do know what’s best for us and we never listen to them. We want to be free and live life without any consequences. But they know from experience that life can be dangerous and it’s not always safe. The Bagheera in our life keeps us from walking into traps or doing something that we’ll regret. The Bagheera in your life may sound like a parent, but it’s not. The Bagheera in your life is most probably a friend. Bagheera was never Mowgli’s parent. The friend that is your Bagheera keeps you grounded but they let you have fun. They let you see the sun without getting too close and being burned. Your Bagheera friend makes you safe and they care for you and they don’t want anything bad to happen.

For those who don’t know Baloo, he is a bear that saves Mowgli. Baloo teaches Mowgli the “Bear Necessities”, which is his philosophy for life. Baloo is completely care-free. Baloo lets life go on and uses the act of con-artist to get what he wants. He teaches Mowgli the life skills he uses and shows Mowgli that life isn’t hard if you don’t let it be. Baloo is the opposite of Bagheera except the fact that he would do anything for Mowgli.

We all need Baloo. The Baloo is our lives inspire us to do things we normally wouldn’t. They let us know that our actions aren’t always going to result in death. We need this friend to tell us to reach the sun. That we don’t need to be scared of a little heat. The Baloo in our life inspires us to try new things. They let us know that one mistake won’t kill us. Maybe trying something new will be fun and then we are happy to have done it. Baloo shows us that we all need to Carpe Diem each day and do something new.

The Baloo and Bagheera in our life keeps us balanced. We can’t have one without the other. Otherwise we will either be too cautious or too care-free. Life is dangerous and your Baloo and Bagheera protect you. They give you freedom but they stay close. Love your Baloo and Bagheera because one day you will have to leave them to get to your place in the world. They will let you go, but they will always be with you in spirit.