Walk in peace, and leave the path a little better than when you found it.

In 1964, Bruce Lee shocked the world in his debut appearance, but his true impact would be made 3 years later at the 1967 event with displays of speed such as jabs to the eye that couldn’t be blocked, heightened sensitivity with Wing Chun chi sao drills, and most notably sparring exhibitions with training partners James Lee (no relation) and Dan Inosanto where Jeet Kune Do principles would be on full display…

In order to grow into the best version of ourselves, we must give ourselves room to do so; a plant may outgrow its pot and require a transfer to the garden where it becomes subject to the elements. Grandmaster Bu Buhisan once said: “there is no growth in the comfort zone, and no comfort in the growth zone.”

The first step is to acknowledge that change must occur. We cannot attain the wisdom we seek without opening ourselves up to receive the knowledge and experience, so we must empty our cups.

Systems are guardrails meant to assist you in navigating a particular endeavor; they are put into place to guide individuals to where they wish to be.

Martial arts can be a tool with which we bring our envisioned masterpiece to life, or the instrument that replaces silence with beautiful music. First thing’s first, though, we must be taught the notes.

Stop. me if you’ve heard this one before:

A father tells his son: "I want you to marry a girl of my choice."
The son says: "No."
The father says: "The girl is Bill Gates' daughter."
The son agrees.

The father goes to Bill Gates.
The father says: "I want your daughter to marry my son."
Bill Gates says: "No."
The father says: "My son is the CEO of the World Bank."
Bill Gates then agrees.

The father goes to the President of the World Bank.
The father says: "Appoint my son as the CEO of your bank."
The President says: "No."
The father says: "My son is Bill Gates' son-in-law."
The President then agrees.

This is how business works. It shouldn’t be how martial arts work.