Embrace your awesomeness!

Renee Lehman

(6/2017) Several years ago, I wrote an article entitled, Lessons from Master Oogway. This article dealt with the life lessons found in the movie, Kung Fu Panda. This past February I wrote an article entitled Lessons from Kung Fu Panda 2. I love all three of the Kung Fu Panda movies! They are a series of animated martial arts movies about a clumsy, chubby, panda bear, Po, who becomes an unlikely kung fu hero. He is chosen as the Dragon Warrior (who protects the Valley of Peace) by Master Oogway, and then undergoes martial arts training by Master Shifu.

In Kung Fu Panda 3, Master Shifu announces that he will no longer be the martial arts teacher. Po will now be teaching martial arts. Po also witnesses Master Shifu harnessing Qi to make a flower bloom. Po has a poor debut as the new martial arts teacher, and tells Master Shifu that he will never be a good teacher like Shifu. Master Shifu replies that he’s not trying to turn Po into himself. Master Shifu is trying to turn Po into Po.

Po’s long-lost panda father suddenly reappears. Po is then taken to a secret panda paradise where he learns to train his fellow pandas to fight the supernatural villain Kai, who has been taking the Qi of all of the great kung fu masters. Kai can only be stopped by a true Master of Qi. Po and the pandas must rediscover their mastery of Qi that has been long forgotten.

The wisdom from Kung Fu Panda 3 is timeless and noteworthy. Here are some quotes that are very inspirational.

"Time is an illusion, there is only the now." – Master Shifu

Do you realize how frequently your mind wanders? Many of our waking hours are spent either thinking about the future or our past. We even spend time constructing our future based on our past. Does this sound like something that you do? Focus on this moment in time, because this is the only time that you have. Focus on what you can do right now. You cannot change the past, and you cannot predict the future. Remember this quote from Kung Fu Panda: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift… that’s why they call it the present." Live in the moment.

"Get ready to dance… with danger!" – Panda Mei Mei

In order to become a successful person, you must learn to embrace and endure life’s changes and challenges. "Dance" with issues, problems, and hardships. At a spiritual level, everything happens for a reason. Use everything that happens to you to help mold you into the person you aspire to be.

"Before the battle of the fist comes the battle of the mind." – Master Shifu

As Lao Tzu said, "Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power." (Tao Te Ching, Chapter 33) The Mind in Traditional Chinese Medicine consists of your thinking, emotions, beliefs, consciousness, etc. Your beliefs and way of thinking shapes your life. Choose to think positively. People who are extraordinary know themselves and master their thoughts.

Quote #4: "Your real strength comes from being the best you can be. Who are you? What are you good at? What makes you, you?" – Kung Fu Panda

We all have gifts. What are yours? Do you share those gifts with others? When you discover your gifts and use them…. Watch out world! By following your heart, you can accomplish so much in life!

"There is always something more to learn. Even for a master." – Master Oogway

No matter how much we know on a particular subject or how good we are at something, there’s always something for us to learn. Commit and be open to life-long learning. The Universe presents us with endless possibilities and opportunities for continued learning and mastery.

"If you only do what you can do, you’ll never be better than what you are." – Master Shifu

As Albert Einstein said "If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got." Want a different outcome? Do something different! Be open to making changes in your life. Think outside of the box. Be willing to shed preconceived notions about yourself! As Lao Tzu said, "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."

"When will you realize? The more you take, the less you have." – Master Oogway

As Lao Tzu wrote in the Tao Te Ching, Chapter 46: "Great trouble comes from not knowing what is enough. Great conflict arises from wanting too much. When we know when enough is enough, there will always be enough." Make a decision to give to others. Practice random acts of kindness, lend an ear or a hand, and give joy.

"If you want to become full, let yourself be empty." - Lao Tzu

"Embrace your awesomeness!" - Kung Fu Panda

So, if you have not seen the Kung Fu Panda movies yet, please watch them! And, if you have already seen them and are a fan of the movie like me, go ahead and watch them again to discover many other words of wisdom that you may have missed!

Renee Lehman is a licensed acupuncturist and physical therapist with over 25 years of health care experience. Her office is located at 249B York Street in Gettysburg, PA. She can be reached at 717-752-5728.