Bruce Lee (1940-1973) was an actor, martial arts instructor and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement.
The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering. Bruce Lee
Walk On
The years between The Green Hornet and the Hong Kong films were often difficult for Bruce Lee. In Hollywood he wasn’t getting offered the roles he felt he deserved, he struggled to support his family, and he injured his back very seriously and was told that he would never be able to participate in martial arts again. He turned to many self-help books during this time for inspiration.
One day he took hold of one of his own business cards and wrote the phrase “Walk On” on the back. He bought a special stand for this card and kept it on his desk as a constant reminder to keep moving forward. With this as his mantra, Bruce Lee worked himself into the best shape of his life, wrote volumes of notes on many different subjects and ideas, and further developed and named his art of Jeet Kune Do. The rest is history.
When life gives you obstacles, you must summon the courage and walk on.
Using no way as way. Having no limitation as limitation. Bruce Lee
What does “using no way as way, having no limitation as limitation” mean?
Many people have misinterpreted this phrase to mean, “Use any way you wish and be limitless in these ways”. This is not correct.
“Using no way as way” means do not presuppose a way. Be in the moment. Be present. Be open to the best way to meet the moment in which you find yourself, rather than planning before hand what way will be best.
“Having no limitation as limitation” means keep an open mind. Do not limit yourself or your thinking. Do not let your beliefs or your style limit your experience.
You impose your own limitations. Even if a guru tells you that something is impossible doesn’t mean it is. He or she is human just like you.
Remember, most great people were told they could never accomplish something, but they went ahead and did it anyway. Listen to yourself and do what excites you.
A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at. Bruce Lee
Goals serve as something to aim for, so don’t get too hung up on reaching them. Focus on enjoying the journey and the process.
If you’re hiking on a beautiful trail, your goal is to get to your end destination, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the walk, or even change direction. Be open, be flexible.
"Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind."
The happiest people in the world are flexible. They do not have rigid beliefs or try to control and manipulate their surroundings to make them happy.
They are okay with how things are. They accept, they live in the now and they breathe. If you want to have a fulfilling and happy life, be flexible and accept things as they are.
“If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of. ”
There’s no time for procrastinating, making excuses and succumbing to your fears. I know it can be hard, but you will ultimately die, so why not make the best of your life?
Don’t waste time, instead start boldly moving towards your dreams. You will fail and make mistakes along the way, so stay humble and stay in the now.
“Real living is living for others.”
If you can find a way to solve other people’s problems while following your passion, you will have found the ideal way to live.
“Take no thought of who is right or wrong or who is better than. Be not for or against.”
If we want the earth to become better, we have to let go of judgment, prejudice and rigid beliefs. There is no need to be right or wrong, or say that you are better than someone else.
Everything is as it is. If you do not like it, you can do something else, but do not inject negative energy, because it never does any good.
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”
If you want to get results and master something, you have to stop dabbling and jumping around from thing to thing. Commit to something and follow through.
Most people quit before any results can appear. They give up too soon. Don’t be one of those people!
“Simplicity is the key to brilliance.”
Simplify your life and eliminate the unnecessary. We as a society have been taught to consume and amass material possessions.
Luckily, we are starting to realize that this doesn’t work. Happiness comes from the inside, not from the outside. Simplicity gives you clarity and peace of mind.
"Absorb what is useful, Discard what is not, Add what is uniquely your own."
In the beginning, learn from someone you look up to, but as you get better and more successful, take what works and discard what doesn’t.
We are all unique, so we have to find our own groove and start listening to ourselves. Listen to your heart for guidance. Where is it trying to pull you?
"Knowing is not enough, you must apply; willing is not enough, you must do."
You can read all the information you want, but if you never take action, nothing will happen. You will almost never have crystal clear clarity, so you will have to work through confusion and uncertainty.
I know you want a rock-solid guarantee that will tell you that you will be successful, but in reality, no such thing exists. You have to start moving in order to get to where you want to be.
"The martial arts are ultimately self-knowledge. A punch or a kick is not to knock the hell out of the guy in front, but to knock the hell out of your ego, your fear, or your hang-ups."
Everything you do involves your ego. It’s the one that is afraid. It wants you to stay where things are comfortable, convenient and safe.
If you listen to your heart, you know that this isn’t the path for you. Go after your dreams and do so boldly. Accept the fear inside you and keep moving.
Life is meant to be lived, so start living and following your passion.
Boards don't hit back. - Bruce Lee
Boards don't hit back!