My daughter is on summer vacation. We decided to make a list of things that would make this the best summer ever. This list has been a facilitator of joy and meaningful connection. Our list includes activities such as trying five new recipes, learning two line dances, and relaxing- simple things within our reach that bring us joy. We’ve had some impromptu additions, one of which was the goal of watching all four Kung Fu Panda movies in order. Now, mind you, we’d already seen each Kung Fu Panda movie, just not in order.
A few weeks ago, we spent Monday through Saturday watching the Kung Fu Panda series. Some nights were a struggle, but we remained committed and watched most of each movie by the end of the week. Sleep won over some night, but we made it to the end.
Simple joy. Meaningful Connection. And an unexpected source of inspiration…
There was one particular scene in Kung Fu Panda 3 that grabbed my attention. The main character, Po, struggles with identity throughout the series, and in each movie, he receives a revelation and greater clarity on who he is. There is one scene from Kung Fu Panda 3, however, that awakened something deep within me. Yep. Kung Fu Panda 3 impacted me in a meaningful way :D
Po is in an epic battle- one in which he was losing, and then the switch was flipped. With the help of his community, he got a revelation of who he was. This revelation stirred a power that was inconquerable. Noticing a shift, his adversary asked, Who are you?! Po responds, saying that he’d been asking himself the same question. Po goes on to name and acknowledge the different and seemingly contradictory aspects of who he was, and ends with, "I am all of them." When he embraced the totality and complexity of who he was, joy and power erupted within him…and something broke free in me too.
I, too, am “all of them-” all the facets of who I am.
I am intelligent and still learning.
I am loving and growing in boundary setting.
Teacher and student.
Leader and servant.
A work in progress and masterpiece.
Author and illustrator.
Feeler and thinker.
Empath and Warrior.
Sensitive and Strong.
Timid and Bold.
I am all of them, and embracing this truth allows me to be one with myself. I choose to embrace every part of myself so that more joy and power can break forth, allowing me to walk freer and more empowered.
Reflection Question:
What are some aspects of yourself (your story, your personality, your propensities) that you might need to embrace so that you can operate with more wholeness, power, and freedom?
“I am all of them. ”