When people hear the name Bruce Lee, they immediately think of the iconic martial arts movie star who died at the age of 33. Bruce Lee finished only four (4) martial films in a span of 3 to 4 years, but his influence to martial art's world is beyond one's imagination. His mysterious death, his fame and his unforgettable movie scenes had elevated him to an Icon, a Legend, a Master and god-like image to many people who are into martial arts.
At the age of 16, I started collecting books of Bruce Lee. I grew up in a small town where little kids love martial arts heroes like Jacky Chan, Van Dam and Bruce to name a few. But Bruce Lee to me is the most impressive. His moves are super fast. His facial expression were very intense. And his fighting scenes are well choreographed.
One day, I stumbled upon a book. The title was Tao of Jet Kune Do. I bought it. I read it. I understood it. And slowly absorbed its lessons as a way of life. In that book, I learned that Bruce Lee was more of a Philosopher and a visionary first, then a martial artist second. His display of martial skills are but results of his deep understanding of one truth: That a human being is a living, constantly changing, capable of learning and has individual traits thats unique and totally different from others.
Bruce Lee had plenty of message to the world. He told very martial artist to absorb what is useful and reject what is not useful in any martial arts style. He told the world that Martial Arts is a never ending quest of truth of the inner and outer being of humans. He told the world that Martial Arts in an expression of one's self, meaning you should know your self first before you can express your inner being to others. Bruce Lee told every martial artist to listen to thier inner being first before follwing blindly to the command of any Martial Arts instructor, Sensie or Master.
I love all the movies of Bruce Lee. In fact, I've watch them all countless times. But his idea and philosphy in life has more meaning and impact to me. It shaped the way I think and how to approach life as it comes. "Be like water my friend" Bruce used to say. When you put the water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you put the water into a tea pot, it becomes the tea pot. Water is formless. Yet it can adopt any form. Water is soft. But it can can destroy anything when under pressure.
Bruce Lee also said that every living thing, be it human, animal or plant, has a weakness. Take time to study its weakneses and you can defeat it eventually. This is the most important single lesson I learned from him. He reaveled the true trick to success. Patience, diligence and the will to conquer is the slowly but surely way to succeed in a fight or life. I already planted this idea into my heart the first time I read Bruce Lee's writing.
Sadly, Bruce Lee died young. He was killed by people who didn't like him destroying the myths and lies that forever chains the world of martial arts. Many legends died for revealing the truth. Plato died too for telling the truth. John Lennon died the same way. JFK died for the same reason. All of them being intelligent, visionaries, bold and true. But thier idea and legends live on.
Me? I'm just a fan of those legends whom I believe, I share common traits with. (Ehem) I am almost intelligent, I am almost visionary, I am almost bold and I am entirely true. Yes, I am almost like them. But among them all, Bruce Lee is the one that's nearest to my heart. We are both from Asia, we are both 5'7" in height and we are both handsome. Anyone who who disagrees with me will get a lightning sidekick from Bruce Lee and Me. WATTAAWWWW!!!
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