Disclaimer: The intent of this blog post is to share reflections on Mr. Miyagi’s words from The Karate Kid as a source of inspiration and humor. This is not meant to minimize the serious nature of PTSD, cancer, or other health struggles. Positivity can be helpful, but it is never a substitute for medical treatment or professional mental health support.

Being an 80’s kid, I grew up with a plethora of incredible films that shaped my childhood. But out of all those classics, The Karate Kid has always held a special place in my heart, and that’s mostly because of Mr. Miyagi. There was something different about his humor—so subtle yet so impactful. It’s the kind of humor that makes you smile, even when things get tough, and for me, that’s exactly what I needed growing up and later on in life.

For those who may not be familiar, The Karate Kid is a classic 1980s film that tells the story of Daniel LaRusso, a teenager who learns karate from his eccentric neighbor turned mentor, Mr. Miyagi, not just to defend himself but also to find inner strength and balance. Mr. Miyagi’s unconventional methods and witty sayings turned what could have been just another underdog story into something deeply meaningful for many of us. For me, this film was layered with memorable scenes of amusement, which encapsulated Mr Miyagi’s teachings.

I’ve always found myself gravitating towards Mr. Miyagi’s unique blend of humor and wisdom. There’s something comforting about his words—especially for those of us who’ve been through life’s toughest battles and come out scarred but still standing. One quote that stuck with me is: “Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything.”

On the surface, it’s funny. You can picture Daniel struggling, his frustration growing while Mr. Miyagi remains calm, almost enjoying the absurdity of the task. The idea of catching a fly with chopsticks feels ridiculous, like something out of a cartoon—and yet there’s something about it that just makes sense. It’s the kind of wisdom wrapped in humor that leaves you thinking about the message long after you’ve stopped laughing.

For me, that message is about resilience and the relentless pursuit of what seems impossible. Catching that fly isn’t just about skill; it’s about belief, patience, and a willingness to keep trying even when everything’s telling you it can’t be done. And if there’s anything my own life has taught me, it’s exactly that.

Humor and Healing

When I think back to some of the toughest times—whether it was the aftermath of the Boxing Day tsunami or those endless days of chemotherapy—I remember how impossible survival felt. PTSD was like trying to find moments of peace in complete darkness. It would dart around my mind—unpredictable, exhausting, and always just out of reach. But there were moments, however brief, when I could catch a glimpse of calm. Those small moments of peace became my lifeline, reminding me that even in the chaos, it was possible to find stillness. Cancer, on the other hand, was like a looming shadow that wouldn’t let me breathe. There were times during my treatment when I genuinely thought I wouldn’t make it, but I still kept fighting. And somehow, despite the chaos, I found small moments of humor that kept me going.

Humor has always been a lifeline for me. Maybe it’s something inherently British—finding humor in the darkest of times, laughing at the absurdity of life when everything else seems hopeless. It reminds me of Monty Python’s Life of Brian and the song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”. Even in the bleakest moments, there’s something to be said for whistling along and finding a reason to smile, no matter how absurd it may be. There’s something about that kind of laughter that makes the burden just a little bit lighter. In those moments when I was lying in a hospital bed, or staring blankly at a wall, I’d remember something ridiculous or find myself laughing at the irony of it all. Like Mr. Miyagi’s fly-catching wisdom, humor helped me keep going, one day at a time.

The Power of Persistence

Catching a fly with chopsticks seems impossible, but that’s what makes it such a powerful metaphor. It’s about more than just persistence; it’s about patience and the willingness to fail, again and again, until you succeed. And believe me, I’ve had my fair share of failures. There were days when the PTSD felt too heavy to carry, and times when I thought I’d never be able to get through another round of chemo.

When I was diagnosed with PTSD after years of untreated trauma, it felt like I was drowning. The world didn’t make sense, and the smallest triggers would send me spiraling. There was no clear path, no straightforward solution—just me, alone, trying to figure out how to move forward. And when cancer decided to come knocking, it was like life had dealt me another impossible hand.

But Mr. Miyagi was right—it’s the focus, the patience, and the refusal to give up that gets you through. Whether it’s catching a fly or finding peace in a chaotic mind, the principle is the same. Every day I chose to keep trying, even when it seemed pointless, even when it felt like I was getting nowhere. And eventually, I started to see small wins. They weren’t big, but they mattered. They were enough to keep me going.

Finding Joy in the Struggle

One of the things I’ve learned on this journey is the importance of finding joy in the struggle—even if that joy comes in the form of a small, fleeting laugh. There’s power in being able to smile at the absurdity of it all. Because life is absurd, isn’t it? Here I was, surviving a tsunami, fighting cancer, battling PTSD—and in between it all, trying to catch my own version of that fly with chopsticks.

This journey has been anything but conventional, but maybe that’s what makes it mine. And maybe that’s why Mr. Miyagi’s words resonate with me so much. His teachings weren’t just about karate—they were about life, about facing what feels impossible with humor and determination. They were about catching that fly, not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth trying.

Conclusion: The Fly is Worth Catching

So here I am, still trying to catch that fly—still working through the remnants of PTSD, still finding new ways to challenge myself, still writing and sharing my story. And maybe that’s the point. Maybe we’re all just trying to catch our own flies, facing impossible tasks that require us to dig deep, laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, and keep going.

Mr. Miyagi was right: “Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything.” It’s not really about the fly. It’s about the belief that you can do it, no matter how many times you fail, no matter how impossible it seems. And if you’re reading this, I hope you remember that too. Whatever your fly is—whatever challenge you’re facing—keep going. The fly is worth catching.