Cobra Kai is one of the best things on TV. The nods back to the original film trilogy, the mix of story lines from the past playing in the present and an awesome soundtrack. Even the return of characters we know and love and the actors who play them. It’s awesome. But what lessons can we learn from Cobra Kai on Netflix? What can the lives of Johnny, Daniel, Miguel, Samantha, Hawk and the rest of the cast teach us? Let’s take a look!
Remember That Wisdom
In life we often have or meet people who inspire us. However they’re not always around forever. In Cobra Kai, we come to Daniel’s story 30 years down the line. Mr Miyagi has passed away and Daniel feels lost without him there. Remembering what these people in our lives have taught us and told us helps re-centre our focus. Going back to the wisdom they gave us, helps us to move forward past the obstacles of life and get back on track.
Strike First
The first part of the Cobra Kai mantra. In life, so many times we find ourselves on the back foot. That could be in business or in relationships. How many times has someone missed out on a relationship because they didn’t strike first and ask the question ? How many businesses have missed out on being the first one to launch in a certain niche because someone else also had the idea and was able to get their company organised quicker? Strike first and strike hard.
Walk The Walk
It is not good enough to simply talk the talk. You need to walk the walk. In Cobra Kai, Johnny walks around trying to drum up business for his new dojo. Downhearted he gets nowhere. This is because he is simply asking people to join, with no reason for them to join. When Miguel’s fight in the canteen gets filmed and sent to the internet, people see what Cobra Kai is all about and what it can offer them. The next day, there is a crowd waiting for the dojo to open. It’s the walk, not the talk that brings people in.
Find Balance
A lot of Cobra Kai is about balance. Many of Mr Miyagi’s lessons involve balance. The balance of the kick, the balance of life. Daniel has to find balance between his family and his renewed karate passion. Sam and Robbie spend hours becoming a team and finding balance together. Without balance we can’t stand. Without balance, we fall. Balance in an integral part of life.
Make Time For Friends
Johnny, in the midst of running his dojo, takes time away from his students to spend time with his friends. Unfortunately he leaves them in Kreese’s horrendous hands, but that’s another story. Spending time with friends, with those we love is so important. In Johnny’s case, it’s the last time he can see one of his childhood friends. We can so often get wrapped up in ourselves, our work, our own goings on. Friends have out back so often and we should have reciprocate. Check in with them, meet up if possible, drop them a regular phone call or video chat. Make time for your friends.
Flip The Script
Never be scared to mix things up. Whether it be in business, in your finances, in your workout, in your fashion, in your life. Sometimes flipping the script on things turns the mundane into the exciting. In Cobra Kai, we see the transformation of Eli into Hawk. Turning from the nerd into the rebel. A full transformation from dull to extreme, with coloured mohawk and tattoo to boot! We can flip the script on a number of things, including our attitude towards things. It might not always work but what have you got to lose?
There Is Always More To Learn
You never know everything. There is always more to learn. Life is a journey and we’re learning all the time. You might think you’re the master of something but our lives, our talents, our work, our passions are ever evolving. The saying says that you learn something new every day and it’s very true. Robbie thinks he knows everything but when Daniel takes him to the forest and asks him to perform his karate moves in a new situation, he has to learn and relearn.
Let Go Of The Past
So many times we can anchored down by our past. Things that have happened, people that we know or those who have hurt us. Something that has been said that we can’t seem to forget and things we can’t move passed. Johnny has so many hang ups about his past. His relationship with his step dad, his love for Ali, the issues with sensei Kreese. We see Daniel’s past come back to haunt him when he sees the Cobra Kai logo. When he revisits Okinawa he faces his old demons too. If we find a way to let go, we can move forward and grow. Remember, your past does not define you.
There are many more lessons to learn from the series but if you haven’t watched it, what are you waiting for? Cobra Kai seasons 1, 2 & 3 are available to stream now on Netflix. Season 4 will be out soon. Wax on, wax off.
