Willy Wonka?
Chocolate?
Gene Wilder?
Johnny Depp?
Charlie Bucket?
Maybe even Jack Albertson?
"Willy Wonka & the
Chocolate Factory" is a 1971 movie based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel. The
book, the original movie, and the newer movie, a darker version with Johnny
Depp called "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," are American icons
(although the author was British) -- and one that is in the Liciaga’s family
video library.
The book and movies focus
around a slightly extreme entrepreneur, a chocolate factory, tiny workers, and
a contest to find one of the five "golden tickets" wrapped within a
Wonka bar. Almost like a lottery, if you found a golden ticket you were
rewarded with an all-day tour by Willy Wonka himself of his secret candy
factory.
Charlie Bucket, the hero
and ideal child, was one of the five winners. The other four children were
spoiled brats and as they went on the tour they showed their greed or
misbehaved in such a way as to be punished or banished. Charlie Bucket was the
winner of the tour and was rewarded with the entire factory and empire. Not a
bad day’s work.
But there’s more to this
children’s story. There are lessons to be learned, both in martial arts and in life.
Charlie Bucket was an disadvantaged kid with a vision. You may call it a dream — but his vision and belief were so strong, he made them a reality. He was certain he would get the golden ticket in spite of his family doubters.
The Power
To Dream. The Power of the “Golden Ticket”Here are lessons from Charlie Bucket that can be applied to your life so you will win the “golden ticket” (dream):
• The Power of Passion. Strive
for what you want with passion. A big part of overcoming obstacles is motivation,
initiative, desire and determination.
• The Power to “Believe.” Dreams
come true and Visions are realized to only to those who choose to believe – in themselves
and their self-worth.
• The Power in Preparation.
Be ready when the opportunity arrives. It is said that “luck” is when
preparation and opportunity meet. Have the wisdom, the insight to see an
opportunity and BE PREPARED to move to action when you see it!
• The Power of a Support
Team. Seek the support of others who want to help you. No one ever succeeds
alone.
• The Power to Smile. It
costs nothing, but a smile is worth a fortune and is the most important and
valuable item in your arsenal. It’s warm and welcome at the same time.
• The Power to “Eat Chocolate”
along the way. Okay, I’m not a chocolate lover per se’ and I’m not going to
talk about the science of chocolate either, but just about everyone I know
LOVES chocolate! There’s something about the universal love of chocolate, yes? Enjoy
the journey and enjoy the fruit…with foresight and intelligence.
• The Power of Questions. It
is said that the quality of your life is determined by the quality of
questions. Quality questions are the gateway to a relationship – with yourself
and with others. Questions engage others, can create revealing information, and
help you discover common interests. Questions Ask lots of questions.
• The Power to Be in awe
and wonderment at all times. Make your life a series of wows.
• The Power to Be a good
person. Strive to live a life of compassion and kindness. Know that everything
you do and say effects everyone around you, even those you don’t know.
• The Power to Be
respectful of yourself, your family, especially your parents. Value for ones’
self and others is demonstrated in the way we treat ourselves and others.
• The Power to Do the right
thing. Strive to live a life of integrity and honor. We are not alone in this
world. Our ability to know what is right and to live righteously is detrimental
to the quality of life for everyone.
• The Power to Be Aware,
Assess, and Act accordingly – Do Not JUDGE.
"Extreme" to some people is "genius" to others. Everyone is
on a journey of discovery. Yes? We all have our moments of extreme and genius…or
foolishness and brilliance.
• The Power of Good. Good always
wins over evil (and spoiled brats.) And "they all lived happily ever
after." See “the Power to Believe”.
• The Power To Stand. Be
willing to give it up if your ethics and beliefs are compromised. Commit to
standing up for what you believe in, even when you get the golden ticket.
• The Power of Belonging
and being Grateful. There’s no place like home (even if it’s populated with
pixilated people as it was for Charlie Bucket). Be grateful for what you have.
There’s a dream, a vision…a
“golden ticket” somewhere for you. The secret is: Don’t wait on your couch for
it to arrive. Go out, discover it, uncover it and embrace it by striving for
it.
You may not win a chocolate
factory — but the victory will be sweet.
By the way, if you doubt
the popularity of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," try to buy
a 1964 first edition of Dahl’s book for less than $2,500.
This summer yours truly,
Peter Liciaga -- your Mount Laurel Education Activist and Martial Arts Educator
-- will be doing two Beyond the Kicks and the Punches workshops for youth
discussing these topics and many more character enhancement skills. To
pre-register for this summer workshop, go HERE
Contact Peter Liciaga at pliciaga@gmail.com or 856-235-0414. To
find out more about Peter Liciaga and his work, visit www.PeterLiciaga.org
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