Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee in his prime (http://www.completemartialarts.com/whoswho/actionstars/images/bruce1.jpg (completemartialarts.com))

Bruce Lee was a Hong Kong martial artist.  He starred in many martial arts movies.  He was mentally focused, determined, and was a seeker of perfection.  He was also a philosopher who philosophized about his faith, beliefs, and moral ethics.  Shortly after he died, his wife published a book about his martial arts style and philosophies called, "Tao of Jeet Kune Do."

Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco on November 27, 1940.  His birth name was Lee Jun Fan, but his mother used to call him "Bruce", meaning "strong one".  Although Bruce Lee's parents moved to America in 1939, just two years later, in 1941, his parents went back to Hong Kong.  Beginning in 1946, while in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee, a natural actor, starred in around 20 films as a child actor.  In 1953, Bruce Lee began studying kung-fu to sharpen his fighting skills (he was a part of a Hong Kong street gang).  But in 1959, after Bruce Lee got in trouble with the law for fighting, he was sent back to America to live with his family friends right outside Seattle, Washington. 

 Back in America, Bruce Lee got a degree in philosophy.  He also got a job teaching Wing Chun (which was the style of kung fu he learned growing up).  While teaching, he met his future wife, Linda Emery, whom he married in 1964.  He and his wife then moved to California, where he opened up two martial art schools.  At these schools he taught his own style of kung fu which he dubbed, "Jeet Kune Do."  This kind of kung fu was made to take down an opponent from close up with the least amount of movement possible.  By the end of 1972, Mr. Lee had become a kung fu movie star.  He had starred in some of the greatest kung fu movies such as "Fists of Fury" and "Enter the Dragon".  On July 20, 1973, Bruce Lee died from an allergic reaction to a painkiller which he had taken.  Although Bruce Lee is no more, he has left behind a huge legacy.  He is credited for popularizing martial arts in the western world.  

Throughout his life, Bruce Lee had believed that the only thing that stops you from accomplishing great physical feats is your mind, and that you had to focus more on your body than your mind if you wanted to be a good martial artist.  He also believed in training and working hard to accomplish goals.  This is why he is my hero.  Bruce Lee inspires me because of his never ending search for perfection and how hard he trained to be the best.  He continues to inspire people today by his mental focus and determination. Bruce Lee's goal for perfection was so rough and cruel on his body that it may have been one of the factors of his demise.  Nevertheless, he taught us that anything can be accomplished if you are mentally determined to do it.

"If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." 

Bruce Lee

Quotes such as these continue to inspire and motivate millions of people across the world.  They endure the test of time and are there when people seek inspiration.  Bruce Lee's philosophies and accomplishment are the reason why many people, including myself, call Bruce Lee their hero.