Welcome to Episode #94 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Don’t Be Water, My Friend.”
We’ve all heard Bruce Lee say, “Boards don’t hit back.” You probably also remember his admonishment, “Don’t think–feel.”
No doubt about it… Bruce Lee was full of good advice. But that doesn’t mean I agree with everything he said!
In this episode, I will turn a critical eye towards one of his most famous pieces of advice: “Be water, my friend.” Sure, it sounds cool, but I fear this idea is easily misunderstood and will actually limit your development as a martial artist… and human being!
Join me for some good-humored analysis of the legend’s words… and a few words of advice my own.
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Don’t Be Water, My Friend
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Good post. Be yourself!
Yes, sir! Thanks for stopping by!
I love love love your podcast but this one really jarred with me!
I think having the ability to be water is important. Taekwondo forms focus on elemental powers and I was surprised to hear you say what you have said!
We need to go with the flow sometimes, other times we need to move with the momentum and force of Niagara Falls. The grand canyon was made by water… had the Earth not felt the continual force of water, there would be no Grand Canyon!!!!
Whilst frozen water can be considered stagnant … it is also strong and stable, unweilding. It could be patient and content in its situation, it could also freeze for too long and forget to ‘live’. Intention and situation is everything.
It’s not just water, we need to be fire too: we need to love and have compassion for others, but not so much we forget to love and have compassion for ourselves. We need to have boundaries we are willing to fight for, but manage any anger or frustration so we create a better world and not just burn things all around us . We need to manage our fire, just as we manage our water…. and our wind and earthiness. We need to recognise what empty space we need in life, what full space we need in life, and what sweeps that away, burns it away or drowns us! Some need more empty space, some need more full space, and it varies week to week.
We are Earth, but if we never let other elements change us, play with us, or try situations from their perspective, we are limiting ourselves.
As I said…. I loooooove your podcast. I do taekwondo but don’t get to spar with adults as it’s all kids (another 1.5 years and I’ll be with adults ). After listening to your podcast I decided to try kick boxing (hello adults!) as I wanted to get the learning one gets from sparring in manky disgusting sweaty dojos. I am very inspired and am pleased that I have found motivation for getting more out of martial arts from your podcasts and will continue to binge listen them right to the end/present days 🙂
Hi Laura! Thanks for the kind words and the thoughtful comments!
I think you summed up everything when you wrote: “Intention and situation is everything.” I agree 100%! I’m not saying that being like water is always bad… I just fear some people hear that quote from Bruce Lee and think that’s the only way to fight… or live!
As you said, we are wise to embrace both fire and water. It’s the balancing of opposites at the same time that makes up true skill.
Also– good for you for finding a kickboxing class to get a head start on your sparring — especially in a manky dojo! I love your spirit! Hope to hear from you again. Happy training! 🙂