I’d seen so many previews for the Bruce Lee inspired movie, “Birth of the Dragon.” I had every intention of seeing it too, but for some reason while I was at work Saturday I thought, Nah, I don’t really think I want to…maybe I’ll just wait to see it when it comes out…

So after work I went home. Ate pizza, read a bit, hit up some meditation…then I decided to veg out a so I opened up my laptop to YouTube and began said vegetation.

…Then I saw a preview for the movie and knew right away, “Damn…I do wanna see it…Ugh!” Gotta put on, not pj, pants…and a shirt… 

Now, I’ll admit I had no idea what it would be like. The overall feel and theme of the movie, had no clue what to expect…but I know I didn’t expect what it ended up being. (I know, weird right? To have no expectations and then be surprised at the result of expecting unexpected expectations to be close to what I expected…see what I mean?)

*No spoilers* I can’t stand people who spoil movies or shows. So I won’t spoil anything for any of you. I will say this though, if you plan on seeing “Birth of the Dragon” and expect it to show Bruce Lee as an idol or all around, nearly perfect badass, you’ll be disappointed. The movie does something no other, that I’ve seen, has done before. It depicts Bruce Lee before he was wise. He’s arrogant, cocky, stubborn and for a few moments in the movie I wasn’t sure if I wanted to root for him to succeed.

The movie depicts Bruce Lee in reality. As a human being, which is something Bruce Lee always wished to truly be remembered and acknowledged for. It’s for this simple fact that it was one of the best Bruce Lee movies I may have ever seen.

And with keeping in the theme of humanity; a theme I emphasize everyday in a majority of the things I write. Here are some Bruce Lee quotes:

Being Human

The goal of a human being- The human goal: to actualize oneself.

We are capable of much more- The fact [is] that we live on only a small percentage of our potential:

·You do not allow yourself to be totally yourself

·Society does not allow you to be totally yourself.

Action

Not to think but to do- Our grand business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.

The point is the doing- The point is the doing of them rather than the accomplishments. There is no actor but the action-there is no experiencer but experience.

The reward of doing- The doer alone learns.

Wu-wei (Natural Action)

Natural action is pliable- Non-action, as it is often translated, does not mean no, action but no such action as begets opposition. “Right” action is neither to oppose or give way, but to be pliable, as a reed in the wind.

The Mind

An intelligent mind is constantly learning- An intelligent mind is one which is constantly learning, never concluding- styles and patterns have come to conclusions and therefore they have ceased to be intelligent.

A limited mind cannot think freely- The mind must be wide open in order to function freely in thought. For a limited mind cannot think freely.

Perception

To be a calm beholder- Be a calm beholder of what is happening around you.

The Ego

Most of us suffer being self-conscious- Most of us would rather suffer being self-conscious, being looked upon, than to realize our blindness and get our eyes again-the impasse is marked by a phobic attitude (avoidance).

Emotion

Anger should be expressed- Any anger that is not coming out, flowing freely, will turn into sadism, power drive, stammering, and other means of torturing.

Motors of behavior- Emotions-the most important motors for our behavior.

Happiness

Happiness is the moral measure of man-  The measure of the moral worth of a man is his happiness. The better the man, the more happiness. Happiness is the synonym for well-being.

Fear

Understanding fear- To understand your fear is the beginning of really seeing.

Shame is fear of humiliation- Shame is fear of humiliation at one’s inferior status in the estimation of others.

Good Will

Real living- Real living is living for others.

Love and respect- Without respect, love cannot go long.

Kindness and remembrance- A person cannot forget someone who is good to them.