The movie Elf carries themes of not only belief in what we do not necessarily see, but also about acceptance. Santa counters the notion that “seeing is believing,” with basically “believing is seeing.” He also spearheads acceptance of the otherwise outcast Buddy, which gets translated to the elf that becomes his “Papa-elf.” Buddy’s self-acceptance, though he does go through periods of doubt, leads him to acceptance by the girl who would become his wife, his half-brother, his actual father, step-mother, and many friends.
You do not have to be perfect to be accepted. You can be a friend to others who are not perfect, and others can be friends to you despite your imperfections. Buddy perseveres through times of non-acceptance to find his place. Although he does come close to giving up, he is able to pull through. Buddy’s friends help him in ways that cannot be measured. We are not islands; we have need for one another.
This scene from the movie shows Buddy befriending a man who has been struggling with his own set of potatoes. They speak of a “flow,” that is, they discuss about being in the flow or getting out of the flow. Either way, we do live in a flow of potatoes, where potatoes represent challenges we face and which we detect with our emotions. Our negative emotions detect what we determine is wrong or is an injustice. When our emotions detect these potatoes, we can respond with a constructive mindset, which accepts ourselves and others, or, we can demonstrate broken thinking by forming the destructive mindset, which identifies the person as the problem.
Fortunately Buddy’s upbringing helps him to believe he is not a potato, at least partly through acceptance by his Papa-Elf. Buddy is free to relate with others in a spirit of acceptance. However, when other elves or humans do not accept him, and basically relate with him as if he is a potato, Buddy is challenged, but eventually returns to self-acceptance and constructive thinking, quirks and all. It is good for us to remember Buddy. All of us have quirks that may make it difficult for others to accept us. But there will be yet others who do accept us, and we can accept ourselves. Not doing so can be depressing, so let us enjoy the Christmas spirit and accept ourselves and others. Thank you Buddy!
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