The bestselling author, educator, martial artist and CEO of the Bruce Lee Foundation, Shannon Lee, is a force with the grace of a butterfly. Her latest book, bie Water, my girlfriend, explores the philosophies of her famous father about personal growth. She may have helped this experience to prepare her when her daughter left Wren at home to college. But she still remembers a feeling of confusion that was alone in a food gear.
“I literally couldn’t think about what to buy. I had never bought food for myself. [Wren] Was always primarily in my head, ”she said.
Lee followed the path of her father as a spiritual leader and creator who helped her to develop awareness and acceptance in order to become an empty nests. We talked to Lee about the attitude she adopted that changed her perspective; nurtured her spirit, her body and soul; And let her grow in new directions.
This interview was easily processed for clarity and length.
Healthywomen: How has your relationship with time and space changed since they have become an empty nests?
Shannon Lee: Every transition is a challenge, even the good ones, because it is a change in their experience.
Interestingly, when I became an empty nests, I was both sad to be away from my daughter, and excited for her and me. I suddenly had all this time and this space to challenge myself to use it sensibly.
HW: How did the move into this phase of life affect your emotional well -being?
Lee: You know, I work very hard to stay centered and take over the most useful perspective for me. I divorced my daughter’s father when Wren was 5 years old and I remember that I didn’t have the first Christmas with me. I was at home and felt sad, and then I realized that I was sitting in the living room, wrapping the gifts, investing a film and enjoying my time. So it is only a shift in the story that I tell myself. She came the next morning to celebrate the vacation with me, but I didn’t have to get up at 6 a.m. I could enjoy my process a little more. It is the same as an empty nests. If I am sad or lonely or tired, I wonder: “What is the heart of it? How can I support myself in the layer? Do I want to call it or go for a walk?” It is really about checking in with myself regularly and learning how to reach for a new narrative that differs from the one that is at the moment.
HW: How has it changed your relationship with her daughter?
Lee: My daughter and I are super close, which is great. I have to remember that she is a baby that experiences life and is not on her all the time. This does not mean that I don’t call or write to her just to say hello, but I want her to have her space and after thinking when she thinks of me. If I haven’t heard of her for a week, I’ll check in. This also enables me to have experiences separately and apart from it. I can think: “Is there a trip that I want to make? How do I feed my soul or I don’t feed?” When I am Netflix in my fifth hour and I feel like a sloth on the couch, I know that I don’t feed my soul.
HW: Many people know that their father was a martial artist and an actor, but they may not be so aware that he was also deeply spiritual and philosophical. Which philosophy of her father applies to this time in your life?
Lee: I came across a quote in his letter that helped me enormously when I suffered from my brother and again during this time. He said: “The medicine for my suffering that I had in me right from the start, but I didn’t take it. My illness came from me, but I only watched it at that moment. And now I see if I find the light that I have to be like a candle and be my fuel to eat myself.” It is the idea that I am responsible for my own well -being. And that comes from being my fuel, igniting and releasing my spark, which no longer serves me.
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