“Be Like Water”

“Be Like Water, My Friend” – Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee wasn’t just a martial arts icon — he was a philosopher. Decades after his passing, his words still ripple through pop culture, influencing athletes, artists, and everyday people searching for growth.

There’s mystery and controversy surrounding his death, but what’s not a mystery is the power of his impact.

Bruce Lee: The Superhero of My Childhood

Growing up in the ’80s, Bruce Lee was larger than life to me. Small in stature, but on screen, he could clear a room of bad guys in seconds.

Sure, the movies were exaggerated — but even as a kid, I was drawn to his charisma. He had an aura that jumped off the screen. He was fast, strong, confident… and magnetic.

He had every kid in the projects trying to learn martial arts. Bruce wasn’t just a movie star — he was a movement.

As I got older, I learned there was more to him than kicks and punches. He was an educated man who blended martial arts with philosophy, and his words have inspired me at some of my most pivotal moments.

“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.”

Ironically, I figured this one out the hard way — before I even knew Bruce had said it.

For years, I told myself I’d write a book one day. I’d find a better job one day. I’d stop drinking when I was “ready.”

The truth? Thinking too much kept me from acting. Change doesn’t happen because you dream about it. It happens when you stop making excuses and start doing the work.

“The worst bullies we encounter in our lives are our own thoughts.”

I’ve been my own worst enemy.

I stayed in situations that weren’t good for me because I didn’t want to risk comfort for progress. I was harder on myself than anyone else ever was.

I had to learn to show myself compassion — to remember that if the work I’m doing comes from a positive place, I can give myself room for mistakes. That self-kindness has been just as important as discipline.

“A goal is not always meant to be reached; sometimes it’s just something to aim at.”

The journey is the destination.

Every detour I’ve taken — from wanting to be a writer as a kid, to falling in love with cooking, to pursuing music, to working in kitchens, to finding my way back to writing — has taught me something valuable.

Wins, losses, setbacks, and successes all carry weight. They give us humility, balance, and perspective. Life isn’t a straight road, and that’s the beauty of it.

“Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.”

In a kitchen, your greatest asset is owning your mistakes. You’ll burn dishes. Miscount orders. Miss prep.

In recovery, it’s the same. Addiction makes you hurt yourself and others, even when you don’t mean to. Real change starts with honesty — with facing the damage you’ve caused and making the choice to do better.

“Be water, my friend.”

This is my favorite Bruce Lee quote.

Water adapts. It fits into any vessel. It can flow gently or crash with force. It nourishes, but it can also break down barriers.

In kitchens, adaptability is everything. Trends shift, menus change, teams rotate. Tradition matters — but so does being able to pivot.

In recovery, adaptability is survival. You have to learn new habits, new ways of thinking, and new ways of facing the world without your old crutch.

I saw my father lose his battle with addiction. It wasn’t for lack of trying — but the pull was too strong. I knew if I wanted a better ending, I had to embrace change completely.

My Flow

I went to rehab. I’ve been sober eight years.
I left a job I held for sixteen years for one where I feel valued.
I had bariatric surgery and lost 130 pounds.
I published a book about my life — one that’s now on the shelves of my local library.
I created a website to connect with the food and recovery communities.

None of that happened without change. None of that happened without adaptability. None of that happened without learning to flow like water.

Comfort is easy. Even when life is hard, it’s tempting to stay where you know the rules. But real growth means stepping into the unknown — and letting fear flow out of you like water down a stream.

It’s still a work in progress. But I know one thing for sure:

“Be like water, my friend.” – Bruce Lee