Be Water My Friend

Flowing Through Life’s Challenges

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. Today, I found myself staring at yet another rejection email for a grant application for my charity, Seedhunters.co.nz. The familiar sting of disappointment washed over me, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

You see, we had recently won a $10,000 per month Google Ads grant, and an incredible company had offered to manage it at cost. This opportunity promised sustainability for our organization, freeing us from the constant cycle of seeking handouts from funders. All we needed was a small operational grant to manage the campaigns effectively.

But no. Another rejection letter landed in my inbox, and I felt physically ill as I sat down to write this, the emotions still raw and pulsing through me.

After taking a few moments to collect myself, I found solace in the ancient Chinese concept of Wu Wei – the art of non-doing or effortless action. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best course of action is to simply accept things as they are and go with the flow. As I allowed this wisdom to settle over me, a sense of calm began to return.

This experience brought to mind the famous quote by Bruce Lee: “Be water, my friend.” While many associate this phrase with Lee’s martial arts and breaking skulls, its meaning runs far deeper than techniques for physical combat. It’s a profound philosophy for navigating life’s challenges with grace and adaptability.

The Wisdom of Water

Water possesses remarkable qualities that we can learn from and apply to our lives. When faced with an obstacle, water doesn’t fight or resist – it simply flows over or around it. This is the visualization I hold onto in moments of frustration or disappointment. Yes, there’s pain in receiving a rejection letter, especially when the only thing suffering is the charity we’re trying to support. But what if we could be like water? What if we could go with the flow and see where it takes us?

Bruce Lee’s famous quote goes far beyond martial arts philosophy. It’s a call to embody the qualities of water in our daily lives:

Adaptability: Water takes the shape of whatever container it’s in. Similarly, we can learn to adapt to new situations and environments without losing our essence.
Persistence: Water can wear away even the hardest rock over time. This teaches us the power of consistent, gentle effort in achieving our goals.
Calmness: A still body of water reflects its surroundings clearly. By cultivating inner calm, we can see situations more clearly and respond more effectively.
Power: While water can be gentle, it can also be incredibly powerful when channeled correctly. This reminds us of our own potential for strength and impact.
Purity: Water has the ability to cleanse and purify. We too can learn to let go of negativity and maintain a pure, focused mindset.

Applying Water Wisdom to Life’s Challenges

As I reflect on the rejection letter and my initial reaction, I realize that embodying the qualities of water can transform how I navigate this and future challenges:

1. Accepting the Flow

Instead of resisting the rejection or dwelling on feelings of frustration, I can choose to accept it as part of the natural flow of events. Just as water doesn’t struggle against the riverbank, I can acknowledge the situation without letting it consume me.

2. Finding New Paths

Water always finds a way, whether it’s over, under, or around an obstacle. Perhaps this rejection is an invitation to explore alternative funding sources or innovative approaches to sustaining our charity. By staying fluid in our thinking, we open ourselves to possibilities we might have otherwise overlooked.

3. Maintaining Momentum

A river doesn’t stop flowing because of a few rocks in its path. Similarly, this setback doesn’t negate the progress we’ve made or the value of our mission. We can choose to keep moving forward, carrying the momentum of our $10,000 monthly Google Ads grant and the support of our cost-effective management partner.

4. Reflecting and Refining

Still water provides a clear reflection. This moment of pause allows us to reflect on our approach, our goals, and our strategies. Are there ways we can refine our grant applications? Can we better communicate the unique value proposition of our Google Ads opportunity?

5. Harnessing Inner Strength

Water may seem soft, but it has incredible strength when focused. By tapping into our inner resilience and the passion that drives our charitable work, we can find the strength to persevere through disappointments and setbacks.

The Deeper Meaning of “Be Water”

Bruce Lee’s philosophy extends beyond mere adaptability. It’s about achieving a state of flow in life where our actions arise naturally and effortlessly from our true nature. This concept aligns closely with the Taoist principle of Wu Wei – action through non-action.

In practice, this means:

Letting Go of Rigidity: When we cling too tightly to specific outcomes or ways of doing things, we create resistance and suffering for ourselves. By loosening our grip and remaining open to alternative paths, we can move more freely through life’s challenges.
Embracing Change: Change is the only constant in life. By embodying the fluid nature of water, we can learn to navigate changes with grace and even find opportunities within them.
Finding Harmony: Water doesn’t fight against its environment; it finds harmony with it. In our lives and work, we can seek ways to work with, rather than against, the forces and circumstances we encounter.
Cultivating Softness: In martial arts, as in life, softness often overcomes hardness. By approaching challenges with a soft, yielding attitude, we can often find more effective solutions than through force or rigidity.
Staying Present: Water exists fully in the present moment, not concerned with past or future. By cultivating presence, we can respond more effectively to the challenges and opportunities right in front of us.

Practical Steps to “Be Water” in Daily Life

Embodying the water principle isn’t just a philosophical exercise – it’s a practical approach to living that can be cultivated through daily practices:

Mindfulness Meditation: Regular meditation practice can help us develop the calm, reflective quality of still water. It allows us to observe our thoughts and emotions without being swept away by them.
Flexibility in Planning: While having goals is important, hold them lightly. Be willing to adjust your course as new information or opportunities arise.
Embracing Imperfection: Water doesn’t try to be perfect; it simply is. Practice self-compassion and let go of perfectionist tendencies that create unnecessary stress and rigidity.
Continuous Learning: Like water shaping itself to new environments, cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and growth. Be open to new ideas and perspectives.
Physical Fluidity: Incorporate fluid movements into your physical routine, whether through tai chi, yoga, dance, or simply conscious, flowing movements. This can help embody the water principle on a physical level.
Emotional Fluidity: Practice acknowledging and feeling your emotions without becoming attached to them. Allow them to flow through you like water, rather than damming them up.
Seeking Multiple Perspectives: When faced with a challenge, try to view it from different angles, just as water can take on different forms. This can reveal new solutions or approaches.

The Ripple Effect of Being Water

As we cultivate this water-like approach to life, we may find that its effects extend far beyond our personal experiences. Just as a single drop can create ripples across an entire pond, our actions and attitudes can have far-reaching impacts:

Inspiring Others: By demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges, we can inspire those around us to approach their own difficulties with a similar mindset.
Creating Harmonious Relationships: A water-like approach to interactions can lead to more harmonious relationships, both personal and professional. By being flexible and going with the flow, we can navigate conflicts and differences more smoothly.
Innovative Problem-Solving: The fluid, adaptive thinking encouraged by the water principle can lead to innovative solutions to complex problems. This can be particularly valuable in fields like charity work, where resources are often limited and creativity is essential.
Environmental Awareness: Embodying the qualities of water can foster a deeper connection with the natural world, potentially leading to more environmentally conscious decisions and actions.
Stress Reduction: By learning to flow with life’s challenges rather than resist them, we can significantly reduce our stress levels, leading to improved overall well-being.

Conclusion: The Endless Journey of Water

As I sit here, the sting of the rejection letter has subsided, replaced by a sense of calm determination. The path forward may not be clear, but like water, we will find a way. We’ll continue to explore funding options, refine our approach, and stay true to our mission of making a positive impact through Seedhunters.co.nz.

Bruce Lee’s wisdom, “Be water, my friend,” serves as a powerful reminder that our greatest strength lies not in rigidity or force, but in our ability to adapt, persist, and flow. It’s an invitation to approach life’s challenges with the wisdom of water – to be fluid yet powerful, calm yet unstoppable.

As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of life, let us remember that like water, we have the innate ability to overcome obstacles, find new paths, and ultimately shape the world around us. The journey may not always be smooth, but by embodying the qualities of water, we can move through it with grace, resilience, and purpose.

So the next time you face a setback, a rejection, or an unexpected challenge, take a moment to pause and ask yourself: “How can I be like water in this situation?” You might be surprised at the strength and wisdom you find within yourself.

Remember, the journey of water is endless. It flows from mountains to seas, rises as mist, falls as rain, and begins anew. In the same way, our journey of growth, adaptation, and impact is ongoing. Each challenge is not an end, but a new beginning – a chance to embody the timeless wisdom of water and flow into new possibilities.