Another swim meet, another Sunday morning not sleeping in. To top it off, the competition starts early and so that her age group warms up on deck at 7:30am. On a Sunday! On a day of rest and eternal procrastination, I had to get up, get her liquid breakfast ready, pack high protein snacks, hydration and other fun foods. Then get her out of bed and into the car at oh-700. Oh my god it’s early, as Robin William once said.

The meet went as well as her tired body can muster. In fact, I don’t know whether it was something in the water, but all the kids felt sluggish that day and no times were bested and everyone literally just went through the motions and got out of the water and benched themselves in front of their devices. It was a very lackluster and uneventful day given it was supposed to be a semi-regional meet with hundreds on swimmers from all over the city on deck.

Eight hours later, she dragged herself into my car and looked even worse than she had in the morning. “What happened today?” I asked. I just wanna go home dad. We drove home in silence.

Kung Fu Panda’s acceptance after looking at the empty Dragon Scroll determined his entire destiny.

After a long hot shower, she finally emerged for dinner. She felt much better. Actually, she even looked energized. “You look better than you did before the long day. Feel good?” Yes, relieved. I paused then I said, “Ever heard of self-fulfilling prophecy?” Isn’t that a theme on Kung Fu Panda? “Yes!” I recall. “So, you are aware that Po’s own self-acceptance after looking at the empty Dragon Scroll determined his entire destiny.” Hmm, sure dad.

“Anyway, the way you approached the day determined the outcome. Your energy pervaded through you to everyone else. And because you are a lead on the team, your peers and juniors look to you and took your cue.”  I can see that. “Don’t you think you’d have a different outcome if you showed up with positivism? Let that inspire you and pep everyone? Their enthusiasm will be contagious.” Hmmm, okay. “I know it’s a bit deep for a Sunday night, but think about it. How ironic that you are now full of energy and composure when all of this could have been very useful at the beginning of the swim meet.” You’re right. I’m just fatigued. “I know. I wouldn’t denied that.”

Hey, dad, can we watch Kung Fu Panda after dinner? “Which one?” All of them from the beginning. I laughed at the irony. “I admire your ambition, but it’s a school night and let’s see how far we get into the first movie before we call it a night.” I think we did make it to the Dragon Scroll scene and then called it quits.

It was the pivotal moment of the movie and an important lesson for the day.