One of my favourite animation shows of all time is the Avatar: The Last Airbender series. It tells of an "Avatar" who can bend (manipulate) the four elements of water, earth, fire, and air and who is the only one that can maintain balance in this world. I like it so much because not only is it very entertaining, it also illustrates in a marvelous way the perennial Hero's Journey while imparting very deep life lessons in the process. If you haven't seen it, check it out!
In the series itself there are many awesomely portrayed characters but one of my favourites is the character of Uncle (General) Iroh, a plump, jolly old man who accompanies his nephew, Zuko as the latter searches for the Avatar. Besides, Iroh is a man of profound moral integrity and deep wisdom.
My daughter and I were re-watching the Avatar series sometime ago and in a scene in which Uncle Iroh was giving Zuko words of deep wisdom, I exclaimed, "Wow, Uncle Iroh is so deep!"
To that, she replied, "He's like you, Daddy."
At another time I said: I like the Sokka and Bo-Lin characters because they're jolly. My daughter then said: You're like Sokka and Bo-Lin, combined with Uncle Iroh.
Come to think of that, that's the second time our daughter identified me with Uncle Iroh! Wow ... upon reflection I realize that this is just a touching and wonderful compliment and affirmation from my own daughter! I'm a proud father to be compared to Avatar's Uncle Iroh!
Check out also this site which contains many wisdom sayings from Uncle/General Iroh
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2ue2zA2ck
Here are some that I found really meaningful for me:
- Aang to Iroh: Toph says you give pretty good advice and great tea. Iroh: the key to both is proper aging.
- *[My favourite Uncle iroh teaching!] (Talking with Zuko his nephew) It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If you take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding others, the other elements (air, water, earth, fire), and the other nations will help you become whole.
- Zuko: This city is like a prison. I don't want to make a life here. / Iroh: Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not.
- Iroh to Aang: Perfection and power are overrated; I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love.
- Iroh to person about to mug him: What are you doing? / Mugger: I'm mugging you. / Iroh: With that stance? / Mugger: What are you talking about? Just give me your money, old man! / Iroh: With a poor stance, you are unbalanced and you can easily be knocked over.
- Iroh to Zuko: You must let go of your feelings of shame, if you want your anger to go away. / Zuko: But I'm not ashamed; I'm as proud as ever. / I: Prince Zuko, pride is not the opposite of shame but it's source. True humility is the only antidote to shame.
- (to Zuko) I: You're fishing for an octopus, my nephew. You need a tightly-woven net or he will squeeze through the tiniest hole and escape.
- Sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of life's true delights.
- The stomach is the source of energy in your body. It is called the sea of chi (ki 気). Only in my case it is more like a vast ocean.
- Iroh: There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I suggest that you think about what it is that you want from life and why. Zuko: I want my destiny / I: What that means is up to you.
- Iroh (talking with Aang): Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel. But if you just keep moving, you will come to a better place.
