There is No Secret Ingredient

I took my son recently to see Kung Fu Panda; hence, my new appreciation for Chinese philosophy. If you haven't yet seen the movie, don't worry -- I won't reveal the surprise ending. In the movie, Po the panda has a deep love for Kung Fu...and dumplings. Although he has never taken Kung Fu lessons, Po learns that in order to succeed at Kung Fu he has to look inward. He already possesses all that he needs to succeed. The panda also discovers that there is no secret ingredient in the family's beloved noodle soup recipe; "It is wonderful," says Po's father, "because it is believed to be wonderful."

The principles of Kung Fu Panda are easily applied to our lives. As WLS patients, we know that WLS is not a cure all, and that digging deep and looking inward as Po does is not easy. Have you mastered the art of self acceptance? This life lesson is particularly difficult for those of us who have been obese for years. We know that changing the book's cover does not change the story. Self acceptance, self love, and ultimately, happiness will only come when we take the time to look inward.

If you are having a hard time believing that you are already wonderful just as you are, that you don't need to "do" anything in order to "become" wonderful, here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Surround yourself with people who already believe you are wonderful.

2. Give of yourself. When you take the time to help others who are less fortunate, you'll be surprised by what you get back.

3. Share your experiences with other WLS patients. Forums and blogs are great ways to express your feelings and have them validated.

There is no secret ingredient. There is no magic pill. Not even WLS will transform your life apart from reflective introspection and self acceptance. We have much to learn from a children's cartoon; you may not be the next dragon warrior, but you ARE wonderful.

Your assignment:

Make a list of all the things you like about yourself, excluding physical characteristics. For this exercise, dig deep and identify your special gifts. Include at least five gifts on your list. Maybe you're a great artist. Maybe you are very organized. Take the risk to share your list with someone who thinks you are wonderful.