lessons I learned from the Karate Kid

I loved this movie growing up. My brother and I could watch it endlessly, and besides having an awesome soundtrack and plot, it has a good message.

Yes, it is cheesy, but not Velveeta or Cheese-Whiz cheesy. Good, solid cheesy, like goat's cheese or mozerella. It will take you back to your childhood and make you happy. I promise.
• Affirmation: the 80s were amazing.
• Best costume ever: a shower.
• Fear holds you back. And serves no purpose.
  Mr. Miyagi, shriveled, quiet old man that he is, took on a bunch of punks by himself. And we all know how that ended.
  He didn't blow his cool, and when Daniel asked him if he was ever scared, Miyagi told him "always scared."
  It is natural to be frightened, but crucial to not give in to fear.
  As my fantasy boyfriend, Mark Twain, put it
  "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear--not absence of fear."
  (yes I will go to Twain in reference to anything and everything)
• Bullies never win in the end.
  They may be rocking it right up until then, but they always get their comeuppance. That goes for Johnny and his creepy Cobra Kai master, who demonstrate that bullies come in all forms and it isn't something that you outgrow. If anything, bullies just get worse as they age.
  It's all about the Underdog. Those never cease to make the best stories.
• Injuring others on purpose is one of the most dishonorable things you can do (you hear that Gregg Williams, defensive coordinator of the Saints??). It is pathetic.
  [I'm talking about the "sweep the leg" in Karate Kid's epic conclusion]
  If you must deliberately wound your opponent because you can't win fair and square, you deserve to lose. This applies in so many arenas---politics most definitely included!
• Along these same lines...The Crane is badass.
  If I ever get in a tight spot, you can bet I'm going to bust out that move. Even if it doesn't defend me, the arbitrary gracelessness of it may make my attacker decide I am not worth attacking. (see picture).
   Real life lesson: brain over brawn. And imitating animals rocks.

• Housework makes you hardcore!
  Thank you, Mr. Miyagi. Who knew painting fences could grow your muscles?!
  The dynamic, real-life lesson underlying this? You may not understand the significance of a challenge at the time, but it is a learning experience you will come to realize later.
• Don't underestimate anyone,
  particularly hunched over little Okinawan handymen.
• Money doesn't buy happiness (kind of an obvious one) but look at Daniel's mom--nearly broke and always perky and supportive. And then look at the rich folks and their kids... brats, most of 'em. Except the love interest, but she doesn't care for social status and ends up with Daniel--the only one out of the snobs that has her head on straight.
• BALANCE.
  Miyagi says that growing up he learned about fishing and karate. It is important to have a variety of interests and commitments in your life, and achieving a harmony between the practical and the enjoyable. Miyagi could support his family (food and finance-wise) with the fish and used karate as a release (although it has its functional applications as well, obviously).
• A title don't mean shit.
  Mr. Miyagi doesn't have a fancy title, and he is a qualified genius. But Mr. Cobra Kai is a "Master" and blah blah blah, and look what a D-bag he was.
  Experience does not come along with a label or abbreviation.

Banzai!