Become like water
“You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend.”
Bruce Lee
Adaptation is an important skill and one of the beautiful parts of being human is that we are able to evolve ourselves to some extent or at least, influence our ability to adapt. While we can be limited in the physical sense in many ways, our minds are actually the greatest hindrance to our personal growth, our ability to change.
I was talking with my supervisor today about confidence and while some people think knowing more is what makes them confident, that is a losing battle as, know one will ever know it all. Confidence doesn't come from knowing the answers, it comes from knowing one can survive despite not knowing.
And when it comes to the concept of knowledge is power, there is a confusion. Knowing has no value at all, it is how what is known is used is where the power of knowledge is derived. One can have all the information in the world but if it isn't applied at the right time, in the right way, to influence circumstances in the right direction, what good is it?
Some people love to gather information, love to "learn" as they may put it but what good is learning if it lays dormant, unseen, flaccid and useless? What a waste of energy it is if one spends a life learning without the intention to ever apply what is learned. Just because one "knows", it doesn't mean one can do what is known.
Our entire life is a process of experience that drives our knowledge, from learning to walk to falling whilst in the attempt, we are continually moving against the conditions in a flux of growth. Those of us who perform the best in this world are the ones who are able to learn from experience and surrounding and, become the water that adapts to it all.
A life of continual flow - Always as one.
Taraz
[ a Steem original ]
The Bruce Lee quote is one of my favorites.
I agree you must be adaptable and apply knowledge.
I would describe Wisdom as applying knowledge and experience In such a way that it meets responsibilities and displays maturity.
To understand water is to understand the universe. (Masaru Emoto)
Hydrogen and Oxygen, both pretty important to creation as we know it at least.
That is why we should have no regrets as it is part of the learning and adaptation process that makes us unlock our survival instincts!
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I agree. Survival comes in many forms these days, as do fears. Unfortunately we too often let the feeling of fear stop us from acting even though there is no actual harm possible other than harm to the ego.
Love this analogy you made use of water in your post.
Love this line also "Knowing has no value at all, it is how what is known is used is where the power of knowledge is derived" you are perfectly right about this line
Most important characteristic we can possess is adaptation. Anything else is bound to end in stuitification
People want change, but they don't want to be the thing that changes - so they rage against the cage rather than slip between the bars.
A lot of sense is on in this piece written, actually, knowledge is nothing when what is learnt cannot be applied or translate into reality. Which is why I often consider four walls of the classroom useless at times. I prefer to learn things through practical than in abstract. And I think it is the best way of learning anything good.
If the walls are the only place the knowledge is utilized, it is a waste.
Bruce Lee was such a badass! The video of him saying this quote is on Youtube and it is so f***ing cool.
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He spent a lot of time studying and a lot of time reading Jiddu Krishnamurti. I think it had a profound effect on the way he began thinking about the world.
love Bruce Lee.
focusing on these is a great way to grow.
great thoughts here, thanks.
Quoting the late, great Bruce Lee
Many kudos for that. I had a Sergeant in the service, who always, always, said, "to know a thing, you must understand a thing"
This was in a Artillery Unit, and he strived to focus on "crew drills"... it was his dogmatic dictum to have every single one of us, know everything about... well, everything. Should one of us get killed, the others must be able to step right in, and continue the mission.
Mind you; the idea of having a profession that led to conversations like, "so... what do you do for a living?"....
Not my karma I wanted. I didn't see the sand, thank God... anyway...
Another great post... look forward to seeing more. And now... I must get some rest...
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I can't really imagine what it would be like in war thankfully, and I am lucky to be born where I was. It is incredible how much of our lives come down to factors we have no chance to choose.
I train at a business level a similar kind of thinking as your sergeant, flexibility, adaptivity and the ability to do the job, regardless of the immediate conditions. In your case, lives depended on it.
Don't let me paint some glorious picture... I had a "friend" from Basic Training mysteriously show up with us in Germany. If I would have been smart then like I am now... I would have realized I was being set up...
That "friend" was a CID nark... (Central Intelligence Division)... he brought a joint into the room, and I figured...one hit...why not My goodness did that initiate a WHOLE new can of beans.. but regardless, I am still here today, for those choices, and the actions that were set in motion...
But as far as the flexibility, adaptivity, and what not... it honestly makes sense, AND makes things so much easier... whether it be in a job, or life...
So basically what Bruce was saying is to become conformists and change who we are depending on our sorrounding.
Bravo Bruce. Haha.
Lol, not at all.
Well, i dont see what else he could have been saying. Im sticking with my interpretation. haha
That is no surprise at all ;D