Two Thumbs Up!

Hey, that’s Short Round! Wait a minute…that really is Short Round!

I love watching movies. Growing up in the 80s, there were many classic, beloved films…movies like the Karate Kid, Indiana Jones, the Goonies, E.T., just to name a few. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and the Goonies were two movies that really piqued my interest not only because they were enjoyable but also of who acted in those films. Ke Huy Quan was famous for playing the roles of Short Round (Indiana Jones) and Data (the Goonies). As a kid, I felt particularly drawn to those characters as there was not much young Asian actors in American films during that time.

Fast forward to late last year, I watched the movie Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. One character in the movie looked so familiar and then the dots connected. I said to myself, “Hey, that’s Short Round! Wait a minute, that really is Short Round!” It was amazing to see Ke Huy Quan back on the screen after 30+ years. More so, now that we are in movie awards season, the recognition that he is receiving. Ke received a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. In his awards speech Ke said, “For so many years, I was afraid that I had nothing more to offer,” but it was through people giving him an opportunity to return that allowed him to really give all that he has to offer.

The same is true with us. Sometimes we may think we have nothing more to offer. But God presents us with opportunities to do good, opportunities to be good, opportunities to use what we have, and opportunities to use what we have for the benefit of others. God’s belief in us can allow us to see beyond what we think we are capable of. Ke Huy Quan’s story is an example of taking advantage of every opportunity that life gives us and how to act with grace, gratitude, and humility when good things happen.

In addition to movies, I love sharing feel-good stories…stories that unite, inspire, and help us grow in faith. Ke Huy Quan’s story is an endearing one and with that, I give it a “Two Thumbs Up!