Be Water My friend

My Experience Reading Be Water, My Friend by Shannon Lee

As a lifelong fan of Bruce Lee, reading Be Water, My Friend by Shannon Lee was an emotional and intellectual journey. From a young age, Bruce Lee captivated me—not just with his fighting skills but with his profound philosophy. Over the years, his wisdom has deeply influenced how I approach my own life, both in the ring and in everyday challenges. This book, written by his daughter Shannon, offers a heartfelt exploration of Bruce Lee’s teachings, and it felt like reconnecting with an old friend whose advice has carried me through some of life’s most difficult moments.

Growing up, I always dreamed of fighting like Bruce Lee. However, it wasn’t until my late 20s that I could afford to go to a boxing gym and truly learn the art of fighting. Until then, I would punch bags at various gyms, trying to teach myself. But when I finally committed to boxing, the lessons I learned in the gym mirrored Bruce Lee’s teachings about discipline, mental strength, and self-growth. One of the key takeaways from the book, and a lesson I’ve lived myself, is that practice doesn’t make you perfect—it makes you better. The more I trained, the more I realized that perfection is unattainable, but consistent effort leads to growth.

One of the reasons I’ve always resonated with Bruce Lee’s philosophy is because it applies far beyond boxing. Be Water, My Friend reminded me of that. The way Shannon Lee explains her father’s philosophy of “being like water” struck a deep chord in me. Water adapts, flows, and responds to its environment without resistance, yet it remains powerful. This idea reflects how I’ve had to face life’s challenges—by being adaptable but strong, learning to move with obstacles rather than against them.

Shannon beautifully expands on her father’s ideas, and several points in the book stood out:

1. The Grasping and Sticky Mind
   This concept made me reflect on how difficult it has always been for me to let go of ideas that no longer serve me. It’s both scary and liberating to release something you once held so deeply. In my personal life, I’ve had to confront beliefs about how I thought the world worked, only to realize they were untrue. It’s not easy to admit that what got you to where you are won’t get you any further. In fact, it’s like a mental hill-climbing problem from mathematics or computer science—where the rule of “always climb upward” works until you’ve reached the peak of your current hill. To climb higher mountains, you first need to go down. This lesson applies to life, too: you can’t learn something new when you believe you already know everything. Letting go of old ways of thinking allowed me to start learning again.
2. Exercise Body and Mind
   One of the strongest messages from the book is the importance of training not only your body but also your mind. It’s not just about getting bigger muscles or a six-pack. True strength comes from building mental fortitude—the kind of mental muscles and a “mental six-pack” that enable you to face life’s obstacles. In both boxing and life, overcoming your challenges requires not only physical strength but also tremendous mental resilience. Developing that mental toughness is just as crucial as physical fitness, if not more so.
3. The Gift of Opponents and Obstacles
   One of the most powerful lessons from the book was the idea that opponents and obstacles are gifts. This philosophy resonates deeply with me because I’ve had many personal battles in life and business. Looking back, I can see how these struggles shaped me, teaching me resilience and making me stronger. In real life, just like in boxing, challenges test you, push you, and ultimately make you better. The difficulties I’ve faced—whether in the ring or in the everyday hustle—have all been gifts, even if I didn’t see them that way at the time. Every setback has been an opportunity for growth, and as Bruce Lee’s philosophy suggests, the hardest fights often leave you stronger and wiser.
4. “Defeat is a State of Mind”
   This quote reminded me that in both life and boxing, we often defeat ourselves before we even begin. The idea that defeat starts in the mind resonated with me because I’ve seen it happen in my own life. There have been times when I felt like I couldn’t keep going, but Bruce Lee’s teachings reminded me that the biggest battle is internal. His philosophy pushed me to face challenges head-on rather than shrink away from them.
5. No Competition, Only Self-Improvement
   Bruce Lee didn’t see fighting as a competition; for him, it was about self-expression and mastery of the body. This philosophy appealed to me because my journey in boxing has never been about competing with others but about competing with the person in the mirror. My only job is to improve myself every day, and the only serious competition I take is against myself—who I used to be and who I aim to become. Each day, I strive to be a little better than the day before, and this mindset has been transformative both in and out of the ring.

The philosophy in Be Water, My Friend resonates with me not only because of boxing but because of life itself. Life has thrown its share of punches, and there have been days when I didn’t think I could get back up. This journey has been hectic, painful, and sometimes overwhelming. But Bruce Lee’s philosophy, along with others like him, has shown me the way forward. He’s given me hope when I thought I couldn’t continue, reminding me that strength comes from within and that even the hardest battles have something to teach us.

In the end, Be Water, My Friend is more than just a book about martial arts or Bruce Lee’s philosophy. It’s about how to navigate life with resilience, adaptability, and grace. Shannon Lee’s portrayal of her father’s teachings is both heartfelt and inspiring, reminding us all that water is not just fluid—it’s powerful. That philosophy has been a guiding force in my life, helping me overcome the challenges I face every day. If you’re a fan of Bruce Lee or seeking deeper understanding of life’s journey, this book is a must-read. For me, it reinforced the lessons that have carried me through some of life’s toughest fights—both in the ring and beyond.