Always a King or Queen

Inspired by the lyrics of “Narnia,” an original song by The Swingles

Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy. Kings and Queens of Narnia, but children first. Children whose dreams were at risk of being strangled by fear and responsibility and growing up, until they fell through the back of a wardrobe and found their true calling.

Running, running, hear the sirens

Running, running, hear the call

Guard this realm and find the glory

Running, running, rule them all

We all went to the backs of our wardrobes to see if we too would be gifted a magical portal—even those American children who had to substitute closets and weren’t sure what mothballs smelled like.

We all listened for that call. Some of us found it, not in a wardrobe, but in writing our own stories, or stitching our own royal robes. We made it.

And the children keep their kingdom and their crown

They often dream of running

Us entrepreneurs took our white stag by the horns and built ourselves kingdoms. Then we grew up.

We met people, kept some in our lives, let others leave. We found partners to support us in our passions and committed to one partner for life: king and queen.

We reigned, no matter the weather on any given day and the days marched on.

So don't slip on the ice, don't break the light

In the shadows we are glowing

The day becomes the eve becomes the dark of night

Without us knowing

So don't wake up to find it's all a lie

Where are all your daydreams going?

The day becomes the eve becomes the dark of night

Without us knowing

We never stopped being kings and queens. Not even when the memory of our true calling faded into a dream, or even a dream of a dream.

Our side-hustles stayed side hustles. Our business grew and became a job. Our co-regent became simply a co-worker, grinding along next to us day after day.

...without us knowing.

But the dream isn’t dead; you haven’t woken up yet.

Today you have a choice:

Wake up to find it’s all a lie. Your parents were right when they said you should get a real job. The reach you imagined is proving impossible. And your children? They hardly know you.

Or:

Sleep deeper and slip into a dream that’s closer to reality than anyone back in England can imagine.

Running barefoot, feel the sunlight

Let’s play once upon a time

Scrape my hands and catch my falling

Running, running, all is mine

Go back to the days when taking a fall was a daily occurrence, when failure was a given, and so was getting up and trying again.

Let people watch and laugh. Laugh with them, even.

Return to play. Return to feeling the pounding of every stone as you run, the pinch of gravel on your palms when you fall, and the burn of the sun bleaching your hair.

And bring your family along.

And the children keep their kingdom and their crown

They often dream of running

Once a king or queen, always a king or queen.

You had it. You married and invited your spouse to share the throne. Now, whether you claim it or not, that throne and that crown are still there for you. Both of you.

Will you dream again of running?

And the children keep their kingdom and their crown

They often dream of running

No one will understand except the ones there with you, so keep them close. Find camaraderie in talking beasts, and seek out new horizons where you never thought you’d find another human—and be surprised.

For there are more kings and queens in the lands surrounding Narnia.

Keep running and you will find them. “The further up and the further in you go, the bigger everything gets. The inside is larger than the outside” after all.

So don't slip on the ice, don't break the light

In the shadows we are glowing

The day becomes the eve becomes the dark of night

Without us knowing

So don't wake up to find it's all a lie

Where are all your daydreams going?

The day becomes the eve becomes the dark of night

Without us knowing

We are kings and queens. Of course the others won’t understand us. Of course they will call us foolish for pushing the boundaries and voyaging beyond our borders.

For them, the world beyond is dangerous, full of witches and treacherous waters bent on our destruction. For us, these evils pale in comparison to the vision we know is there beyond the upside-down, impossible waterfall.

We do not deny the darkness, but we know it’s no match for the light.

That darkness will be there to swallow you up should you abandon your dreams, so the question is this:

Will you keep your kingdom and your crown?

So don't slip on the ice, don't break the light

In the shadows we are glowing (Keep their kingdom and their crown)

The day becomes the eve becomes the dark of night

Without us knowing (And their crown)

So don't wake up to find it's all a lie

Where are all your daydreams going? (Keep their kingdom and their crown)

The day becomes the eve becomes the dark of night

Without us knowing (And their crown)

You’ve read this far. Why?

What was it that drew you in; what resonated?

Perhaps it was because you know that you’re a king, a queen, and that your spouse has what it takes to reign with you. Your dream is legitimate. It’s a calling, in fact.

So how will you ensure that your dream doesn’t die?

By finding the other kings and queens. Community, connection—and not just through a digital screen—is vital to your dream’s survival. It’s vital to your survival.

Like the Pevensies, you cannot fulfill your calling without other kings and queens beside you.

Stronger Together.

In February, entrepreneurial kings and queens will be assembling in Fredericksburg, Texas. Will you be among them?

https://www.civilizedanimal.com/stronger-together