Things I Learned Watching Kung Fu Panda

I know Disney films as a whole tend to have great lessons about believing in yourself and morals, but somehow it seems like Kung Fu Panda resonates more than the others for me. I've decided that it's one of my 'make me happy' movies because let's face it… everyone has a 'Po' inside them that has these big dreams, but is fearful they won't be able to live up to them.

With that in mind, here are my favorite lessons I learned from Kung Fu Panda:

Everyone has potential! Just because you don't fit the image people think of, that doesn't mean you don't have anything to contribute.

Not everyone learns the same way, so keep an open mind! Po is a cuddly, round Panda bear who is not well-suited to the methods that made the rest of the Furious Five successful, yet once Master Shifu figures out how to motivate him, there's no stopping him!

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why they call it the present." – Master Oogway. To me, this boils down to the idea that you shouldn't dwell on things you can't control like what's already happened or what will happen. Just focus on what you do now and do your best.

"There is no secret ingredient!" When Po leaves the Jade Palace, dejected at his 'failure', his father Mr. Ping finally reveals the secret ingredient of the 'secret ingredient soup': nothing! He simply started calling it that and when everyone started to believe that it was special, it became so. Belief in yourself is essential in life so don't let naysayers get under your skin!

So, there you have it. Those are the chief lessons of Kung Fu Panda, as I see them. If you have not seen this movie, do yourself a favor and watch it!