Kung Fu Panda is an animated movie that teaches several interesting life lessons, embedded in a predictable storyline. It is highly entertaining done in a Dreamworks storybook fashion. Even though we first watched the movie over a week ago, my kids can not stop talking about it.
In the show, the panda,
whose name is Po, was chosen by a wise old turtle, Ooguay, as the dragon warrior to defeat the enemy. Unfortunately, Po was an unlikely character for he was fat and clumsy. He was viewed with much skepticism and doubt by his martial-arts teacher, Shifu, and the Furious Five: Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, and Crane.
The highlight of the show, at least in my opinion, cl
early belonged to the numerous spouts of wisdom and quotes cleverly delivered by the various characters. Animated or not, wisdom can be found anywhere. All you have to do is look and listen with an open mind.
Here are 5 of the wise sayings that I picked up in the movie:
- Living In the Now
Ooguay: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”
We don’t need to read Eckhart Tolle’s book “The Power of Now” to learn the importance of the present moment. We can simply watch this movie, to learn from Ooguay about how necessary it is to let go of our past, doubts and fears, if we want be happy.
Thoughts of the future or baggages of the past take away your joy in the most significant moment – Now. What matters is not what has happened or what is going to take place. Hence, be faithful to what you are doing. Treat each moment as a gift and you will live life fully! - You Can’t Run Away From Your Destiny
Ooguay: “One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it.”
Ever had that tingling sensation that you are meant to do something else? Perhaps it is a dream that you have had since you were young. Or it may just be a recent awakening, like in my case.
I have always thought I would pursue my grand idea of being an accountant or banker. Yes, I know. It sounds like a boring profession. But the thought of having an iron rice bowl appealed to me then. Even when I first started exploring opportunities on the web, making a ton of money was my first concern. Along the way, someone directed me to watch The Secret movie on youtube. Well, the rest is history.
I never quite thought that I would be writing articles on self help and personal development. Nor that I would be interested in a coaching or healing profession. I am convinced now that I am threading on the right path, since I love what I do passionately. Each day of living this purpose feels so right to me intuitively.
Hence, if you find yourself experiencing that sense of discomfort, that inner knowing that you are in the wrong job, or a purpose that you need to fulfill, perhaps it is time to ask yourself what your destiny is. Oddly enough, no matter which way you turn, this destiny calls out to you. - Things Happen For A Reason
Ooguay: “There are no accidents.”
If events do not go according to your expectations, then learn to stop fretting over your suffering and misery. Things often happen for a reason. It may just be a life lesson that you need to take.
As we all know, life is never a bed of roses. If you do not recognize the lesson for what it is, you will find yourself continually stuck or attracting more of the same. You are in a vicious cycle, unable to break out. Step aside, take notes and learn from there. Then, you will find yourself moving on, becoming a more evolved and higher Self. - Your Passion Keeps You Going
Tigress: “It is said that the Dragon Warrior can go for months without eating, surviving on the dew of a single gingko leaf and the energy of the universe.”
Po: “Then I guess my body doesn’t know I’m the Dragon Warrior yet. It’s gonna take a lot more than dew, and, uh, universe juice.”
Admittedly, it sounds a little far fetched - to be able to survive without eating. But haven’t you experienced several times when you were so absorbed in what you were doing that you forgot to eat?
It is true that our passions can keep us alive. Even in the most challenging of times, they have us going. A friend I came to know lately shared that her volunteer work in an Aids Organization helped sustained her during a time when she went into depression herself. If not for the patients who needed her and if not for the passion to help others, she would not have survived that period. - You Can Be the Most Unlikely Hero
Po: “There is no charge for awesomeness - or attractiveness.”
At the heart of the story, was a character with no apparent gifts or talents. He had to fight feelings of low self esteem and confidence. He had to endure snide remarks by the Furious Five. He had to undergo rounds of brutal martial arts training, that kept him from eating.
Towards the end, Po unraveled the secret of the Dragon scroll from a meeting with his father. His father had tried to cheer him by telling him the secret ingredient of the family's noodle soup: nothing. Things become special, he explained, because people believe them to be special.
As you probably guessed by now, Po saved the day. He realized that he could be awesome if he chose to believe so. And he was indeed the Dragon Warrior, after all!
-Evelyn