Category: Lifestyle

Lifestyle includes anything that comes to mind. Posts that do not directly relate to sneakers, streetwear, or vintage fall in this particular category of Ubinami. The broad range allows for a wide variety of posts such as book reviews, interviews, recommendations, or opinions.

Ubinami seeks to represent a lifestyle of adaptability and counteracting any form of rigidness. To be stuck in one’s own ways often leads to some sort of defeat. There has to be a balance of realizing change will not happen overnight and waiting for change to happen. Embracing life’s shifts is essential for any type of impactful growth.

Gladwell Global Stories

January 25, 2023

Non-fiction books provide invaluable information when properly written and stories are effectively portrayed. Malcolm Gladwell focuses tying past events, influential individuals’ experiences, and important occurrences to relatable current day situations. Written storytelling has started taking a backseat to digital instances through visual and audio concepts.

Gladwell’s global reads realize the importance of keeping often forgotten stories alive; he emphasizes the significance of events which most people would deem inconsequential and insignificant to world history. Every small occurrence, no matter how nonessential they may seem, provides an opportunity to learn through others’ experiences.

Studying others’ experiences is the next best thing to learning from one’s own encounters. The author stresses long lost stories that might not seem like much in the grand scheme of things. All of Gladwell’s global reads follow a similar pattern of connecting past events to relate to the present and future. Malcolm Gladwell’s storytelling is unique and incomparable as he sets himself apart from other nonfiction authors. Nobody brings ordinary events to life like the English-born Canadian author.

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Since being originally published in 2000, Gladwell focuses on how little things come to make a noticeable difference in the long run in The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. A tipping point is defined as “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.” This point propels occurrences to a new height; things almost always change slowly over time, but with a tipping point, there is a noticeable impact that is felt almost immediately. Gladwell explains how social epidemics come about; trends and products spread like a wildfire once they reach the infamous point which leads them to a new dimension.

There are three essential rules of the Tipping Point: the Law of the Few, the Stickiness Factor, and the Power of Context.

The Law of the Few states that a select number of powerful people have a noticeable impact on social epidemics. As Gladwell articulates, “The answer is that success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts” (Gladwell, The Tipping Point 33). The psychologist Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment in the late 1960s in an attempt to solve the small-world problem. Human beings are more connected that most people would expect.

In fact, Milgram’s experiment brought about the concept of six degrees of separation. However, all degrees of separation are not equal. Gladwell’s global reads explains how six degrees refers to the fact that “a very small number of people are linked to everyone else in a few steps, and the rest of us are linked to the world through those special few” (Gladwell, The Tipping Point 36-7). People know others based on the individuals they already know; acquaintances are typically met through existing friends and connections. In addition, the author explains how a social circle looks more like a pyramid than an actual circle; a single person or a few people at the top contribute a majority of the relationships in one’s life compared to others who are lower on the pyramid.

The Stickiness Factor refers to messengers and how they make social epidemics spread. Substantial content and the power of a messenger attribute to the “stickiness” of a particular message. Under the right circumstances and presented in a specific way, a message often finds itself memorable and attractive to the desired audience. Gladwell describes how the Stickiness Factor is similar to the Law of the Few. For instance, he states, “There is a simple way to package information that, under the right circumstances, can make it irresistible. All you have to do is find it” (Gladwell, The Tipping Point 132). For a defined messaged to contain a high level of “stickiness” requires a memorable concept that usually calls for some sort of action. Ideals must stick with an individual to gain any sort of traction before becoming a social epidemic.

Malcolm Gladwell’s third rule, the Power of Context, is as undoubtedly important as the previous two. He realizes how, “Epidemics are sensitive to the conditions and circumstances of the times and places which they occur” (139). Contextual adjustments typically tip epidemics more than most people would think. An environment will make or break a social epidemic; even the most minuscule details affect immediate surroundings. Whether an event occurs during the day or night, in the winter or summer, or in the Americas versus Asia all contribute to the likelihood of an epidemic tipping. Exact and rather ideal circumstances determine how society will react to a particular product or widespread concept. Context changes everything, often with the snap of a finger.

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

In one of his most recognized books, Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell takes a deep dive into what separates the successful from the average and mediocre. Outliers are people whose achievements deviate from the norm; due to various reasons, a person’s full potential is not always achieved. Gladwell details how hard work and talent alone do not lead to success. Continuous time and effort over a prolonged period paired with favorable circumstances lead to some sort of lasting success.

The 10,000 hour rule is an essential concept that is often talked about when discussing a particular expertise. It usually takes about ten years to become a chess grandmaster- an exclusive title that requires countless hours of wins and losses to learn from. Gladwell explains that, “Ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness” (Gladwell, Outliers 41). Ten thousand hours roughly translates to about ten years. Nobody gets better at anything without putting in endless time and energy.

In any case, ten years of focusing on a particular skill requires relentless determination and willpower. Practice is not something to be taken lightly, but instead, “It’s the thing you do that makes you good” (Gladwell, Outliers 42). Rehearsing the same skill can get monotonous at times; the ten thousand hours will not magically land on someone’s lap. To reach any type of worthwhile greatness requires continuous practice over an extended length of time.

In addition to innumerable hours dedicated to honing in on a particular skill, success calls for advantageous conditions to be met. Accomplishments do not come out of thin air. Gladwell states how, “Success is not a random act. It arises out of a predictable and powerful set of circumstances and opportunities…” (Gladwell, Outliers 155). Powerful individuals such as Bill Gates grew up in ideal environments that allowed him to reach the ten thousand hour threshold well before any of his peers. Without a doubt, surroundings affect people’s lives in the long run depending on how they choose to make the most of what is readily available and accessible.

Gates had access to one of the few time-sharing terminals at his high school. He was able to write code at a company that a classmate’s parent worked at. Also, Gated lived within walking distance of the University of Washington where there was free computer time in the early morning. Malcolm Gladwell stresses how not very little people in the world had or will have opportunities like Bill Gates. The right set of circumstances allowed Gates to propel his educational experience and ultimately jumpstart his entrepreneurial career.

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

One of Gladwell’s most recent works, Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know, stresses the importance of how people don’t communicate as effectively with others they are unfamiliar with. Miscommunication happens all the time. However, when poor communication reaches an extreme, it leads to tragic, undesirable, and often frustrating situations. One of the most important and more recent instances Gladwell focuses on is the devastating death of Sandra Bland near Prairie View A&M University in 2015. As a result, Gladwell seeks to explain what went south in a routine traffic stop that led to Bland’s arrest. He wants the reader to understand how her life could have been dramatically different if the officer knew how to handle the interaction with Bland.

Obviously, America has dealt with social divide throughout its whole existence. With the emergence and popularization of social media, the polarization has increased or seemingly risen over the past decade. Gladwell explains, “Prejudice and incompetence go a long way toward explaining social dysfunction in the United States” (Gladwell, Talking to Strangers 6). Both sides on the opposites spectrums of social views have their own biases. Each will attempt to justify their viewpoints with slim to no chances of admitting any wrongdoings. In particular cases, prejudice comes out to the front and rationality typically takes a back seat. People often don’t even want to acknowledge an outsider’s perspective. Evidently, nothing can bring strangers closer together than conversation.

As noted by Malcolm Gladwell, interactions with strangers usually don’t go as expected and often go terribly wrong. Two people who have never met have no idea what makes the other irritated or how to read their emotions. Deception is something humans have not been able to perfect, no matter how hard they try.

Furthermore, a psychologist by the name of Tim Levine has conducted the same straightforward experiment countless times throughout his career. He starts by inviting students to complete a trivia test for a cash prize. There is an instructor in the room who leaves midway through the test. They leave the participants to themselves to finish the test with nobody watching. One always tries to persuade the other to look into the envelope in order to find the answers. After the test is over, Levine interviews the participants in an attempt to see who tells the truth and who lies.

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

Even a seasoned professional like Levine cannot detect deception in humans. His research proves how bad people truly are at sensing a lie right in front of them. Gladwell explains how, “Evolution, over many millions of years, should have favored people with the ability to pick up the subtle signs of deception. But it hasn’t” (Gladwell, Talking to Strangers 72). Ana Montes executed one of the most infamous deceptions in the history of the United States.

As a DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) agent, colleagues described Montes as intelligent and charming. However, she was a Cuban spy since she first joined the DIA. Nobody suspected Montes for years. After a while, her lies were exposed, but not by a colleague accusing her of deception. She worked as a double agent for many years without any major suspicion. Even some of the sharpest agents in the DIA, CIA, and FBI cannot detect lies like those from Montes.

A state trooper by the name of Brian Encinia pulled Sandra Bland over on July 10, 2015 in Waller County, Texas. She recently started a new job at Prairie View A&M University. Encinia stopped Bland for a failure to signal a lane change. The interaction quickly turned sour as the Texas State Trooper started questioning the young Black woman from Chicago. He noticed she was visibly irritated; he asked her to put out her cigarette after talking briefly. Then, Bland refused to do so which set Encinia off almost instantly. After asking her to step out of her car, Encinia forcibly removed Bland without any particular reason. He then charged her with felony assault for not complying with an officer’s orders.

In Talking to Strangers, Gladwell notes how many times Encinia made a mistake in his encounter with Sandra Bland. Next, he stresses the noticeable divide between the two parties that ultimately led to the arrest of Bland and her tragic death three days later. Arguably one of the most memorable quotes of the entire book, Malcolm Gladwell explains, “Because we do not know how to talk to strangers, what do we do when things go awry with strangers? We blame the stranger” (Gladwell, Talking to Strangers 346). Sandra Bland might still be alive today if Encinia dealt with strangers without blaming them first. However, there is another tragic story of a young Black woman whose life ended shortly after her arrest because of a police officer with a bruised ego.

RIP Sandra Bland 1987-2015

Gladwell, Malcolm. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. Little, Brown and Company, 2002.

—. Outliers: The Story of Success. Little, Brown and Company, 2008.

—. Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know. Little, Brown and Company, 2019.

In Loving Memory of Jimmy Wopo

January 19, 2023

Jimmy Wopo had Pittsburgh’s rap scene on lock during the prime of his career. He brought a new swagger and energy that was much needed for the city. Many people outside of Pennsylvania do not give enough respect to rappers to come out of the Burgh besides a few well known names such as Wiz Khalifa and the late Mac Miller.

Wopo was evidently on the rise at the time of his unfortunate death in 2018. He grew up rapping and ultimately achieved his dream of becoming a known artist in his own city as well as elsewhere in the United States.

Young Wopo Life

Travon DaShawn Frank Smart better known as Jimmy Wopo was born on January 13th, 1997 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the Hill District, a predominantly Black neighborhood with historical significance in the city. Wopo started rapping at a young age after his mother called a local radio station to have him rap during a call in segment.

Growing up in the Hill District was not easy for anyone especially Jimmy Wopo. He described in an interview about being shot several times on different occasions. Despite the ongoing violence around him, Smart continued to focus on his craft and worked to reach his full potential. His perseverance and dedication to rapping would pay off in his near future.

Woponese

In early 2015, Jimmy Wopo started to take his rap career more seriously and starting posting songs on SoundCloud. The online music platform allowed him to gain traction rather swiftly. The Pittsburgh based hip-hop and rap blog, The Daily Loud, ran by Taylor Maglin quickly took an interest in the young rapper from the Hill. Maglin would later become Wopo’s right hand man and manager.

In July 2016, Jimmy Wopo’s debut album, Woponese, proved to be the start of something special. World Star Hip Hop exclusively premiered numerous music videos for Wopo leading to millions of views online. The hit single, “Elm Street” rapidly took the rap scene by storm. Jimmy Wopo had people outside of Pittsburgh buzzing about his catchy and original song. Complex included “Elm Street” in the “‘Bout to Blow: 10 Dope New Songs You Should Be Hearing Everywhere Soon” list in 2016. Fans even found striking similarities between “Elm Street” and Kendrick Lamar’s hit “Humble.” The well-known producer, Sonny Digital teamed up with Wopo on his debut album; Woponese was just the beginning of Wopo showcasing his unique rap abilities.

Burgh Ties

Jimmy Wopo was not shy to collaborations especially with other artists from Pittsburgh. As he gained more popularity, Wiz Khalifa started to take an interest in the energetic rapper coming out of the Hill District. Hardo, another Pittsburgh based rapper worked with Wopo on numerous occasions. The duo teamed up to release a joint album Trapnese in November 2016 with features from Wiz Khalifa, 21 Savage, and ShadyHigler.

The Pittsburgh trio collaborated once again in 2018. Wiz Khalifa’s song “Blue Hunnids” on Rolling Papers 2 featured Jimmy Wopo and Hardo. Rappers tend to work with other artists who have a similar flow as themselves. Although prominent Pittsburgh rappers like Wiz, Hardo, and Wopo all have their own unique styles, their flows all work cohesively.

Pittsburgh native, Taylor Maglin, a co-founder of The Daily Loud, brought Wopo invaluable exposure that propelled the young star’s rap career. Maglin eventually became Jimmy Wopo’s manager and continued to provide critical exposure for the rapper. The duo became close and developed a friendship outside of their work. Daily Loud gave Wopo a powerful and lasting platform to be influential outside the city of Pittsburgh.

Moving On

Pittsburgh’s rap scene is often limited and does not offer as many opportunities for advancement as other metros around the United States. Although Wopo became a local hit and expanded to other areas, he still looked to expand upon his talents in a more diverse and rewarding market.

Close ties with Wiz Khalifa unlocked many doors for Jimmy Wopo. The two had experience working together and originating from the same city. Khalifa and his crew knew how much potential Pittsburgh has to offer. Wiz Khalifa’s music group and label, Taylor Gang is known countrywide and even recognized in other countries as well. Wopo, like other rappers coming out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania had bigger aspirations and goals that expanded outside of city and even state limits.

Long Live Wopo

In the very same neighborhood he grew up in, Jimmy Wopo was a victim of a drive-by shooting on June 18, 2018. He was fatally shot and did not survive the senseless act of violence. It’s not fair to see a young Black man like Travon Smart be denied of making it out of the city due to insensible actions. Right before he was shot, Wopo signed with Taylor Gang and had plans to move out of Pittsburgh to finally escape the violence surrounding him. He was only twenty one years old at the time of his unfortunate death.

His music will live on forever especially throughout his hometown. Listeners easily feel the passion in Wopo’s songs and could tell he was constantly evolving. Taylor Gang missed out on a generational talent who would have been an irreplaceable asset to the world-renowned music label.

Creative Growth

January 11, 2023

Life can be full of ups and downs. Everyone knows life throws curves in every path that are far from ideal. It is essential to find various outlets to explore creativity, find peace, and stay active. There is no single activity that can stimulate the mind and provide for the body at the same time to the fullest extent. Some may prove to be better for creative growth than others, but it is vital to diversify oneself and never stop being inquisitive.

To be sane and healthy in all aspects of life requires a multi-faceted approach to handle all of the adversity that comes along. Everyone has their own stress relievers and outlets; people who consume too much without gaining some type of experience or knowledge rarely find themselves completely satisfied.

Bookworms

Reading is something that has been pushed to the side over the past few decades with the popularization of video games, tv shows/movies, and social media. Even just a few minutes of uninterrupted reading everyday can provide far more benefits than mindless hours on the internet. The knowledge in the world is endless; why should learning stop when someone graduates from high school or college?

There are various genres that all provide their own unique advantages. For example, psychology and sociology focused books give more insight on how the world works and how people around us interact with each other. An individual can interpret a book completely differently than the next person who reads the same exact words. There are no quizzes or grades when reading for knowledge and wisdom, but instead it is up to the reader to apply what they learned on the pages in front of them. Creative growth stems from reading various topics to gain valuable wisdom.

Although the internet is more popular than ever, reading physical books is an excellent way to unplug and take a break from the never-ending news and strong opinions of others seen online. Reading can give much needed mental breaks when used wisely; a good book can indirectly give valuable guidance on how to deal with the world around us. Non-fiction literary works often provide priceless insight and knowledge, but fiction can also prove to be useful and extraordinary in its own ways.

Fiction lets the imagination run free and open up room for creative growth. The mind gets lost in a fictional world where people do not have to deal with the constant pressure of living up to certain expectations in real life. Winding down by reading any type of fiction showcases the power of ingenuity when used correctly. Fictional novels allow real-world problems to take a back seat to get a closer view of an imaginative world where realistic issues do not concern the characters. Readers can learn just as much from novels as non-fiction informational books if they keep an open mind and allow imaginative events and characters to translate to the physical world around them.

Lovers of Footwear

Some people start dressing from the top down while others start with the feet first. Sneaker enthusiasts everywhere take pride in a new pair of fresh kicks and rocking them knowing it completes their outfit. Sneakers bring countless individuals together for numerous reasons.

The sneaker world holds endless possibilities for to make connections and to enjoying the ability to express oneself freely in a healthy way. Like sports, sneakers are easy to bond over. Someone walking down the street wearing a rare pair of shoes might be stopped by an enthusiast who appreciates certain pairs of shoes. There are always hot topics of discussion within the sneaker community. New releases, rumors about potential collaborations, and scandals are constantly talked about among people who are interested in sneakers.

People who invest countless hours, endless energy, and often too much money into sneakers are usually open to lend a helping hand to newbies and other enthusiasts who are respectful and relatable. The overall sneaker community (not sneaker resellers- two completely different groups) as a whole is generally welcoming and supportive. The community is not underground and “exclusive” like it used to be.

Sneakers bring people together rather than tear them apart.

Sure, there are plenty of limited releases that leave people empty handed. However, the individuals who put in their fair share of due diligence have a higher chance of success when going after more sought-after sneakers. Especially now, it is easier than ever to get into sneakers. People can walk into shoe stores and purchase quality pairs that would not have been sitting a few years ago. The secondary market is currently also in favor of most buyers who do not want to break the bank. Anyone who does their research can learn about the history of brands and specific sneaker models whenever they want. The sneaker world is more open than ever for people who are looking to get more serious about their footwear.

Fanatics and Fiends

Sports are more than a game. They bring millions of people together all over the world. Fans support one another and uplift those that are struggling in their personal lives. Sports provide a healthy escape from reality as well.

Whether through playing or watching, anyone who is part of a team knows how it feels to be part of a collective group with similar goals. Organized sports provide healthy and valuable outlets for countless children, teenagers, adults, and elderly people. Nothing can replicate the feeling when a team and its supporters come together as one.

Games are more than who scores more (or less) than an opponent. They represent much more than the actual scoreboard; sports teach individuals about important aspects all throughout life. Hard work, determination, perseverance, and team work are the obvious that often come to mind. However, other motifs show more about life than what is seen on the surface.

In sports and life alike, people quickly learn that things will not always go their way. Someone can do everything in their willpower to succeed, but it still might not be enough to reach the desired outcome. Sports and life are both difficult in their own respects and do not give hand outs no matter the circumstances.

Fans everywhere bond with other supporters of the same team no matter their gender, race, skin color, ethnicity, or sexuality. Sports bring millions of people who otherwise would have stayed divided or out of contact. In good and bad times, fans of sports teams support their teams and each other. The allegiance to a team is not something to be taken lightly. True fans devote endless time and energy in supporting their respected team on the way to victory.

Creative Growth Mindset

To stay stagnant in life is to live an unfulfilled life. Meaningful outlets like reading, sneakers, and sports provide substance and allow people to express themselves in healthy ways. No matter what someone chooses to do in life, there will always be potential to be honest about expressing oneself. Whether someone reads or paints in their free time, collects sneakers or grows plants does not make a huge difference as long as there are healthy outlets to deal with life’s ups and downs. Nobody can take life as it is without dedicating undivided time towards activities that enrich their life in some way.

Growing opens up countless doors for future possibilities. People with a fixed mindset typically don’t seek out rewarding or fulfilling opportunities to enhance creativity, knowledge, and overall health. Those who look for a chance to improve often do over time. Nobody can put in the time, energy, or effort for anyone else. Someone with a creative growth mindset often finds themselves as a constant learner and new experience seeker all throughout life.

One thing that never changes about life is the fact that it will always be changing. It’s only right to change with one’s surroundings rather than fight what is natural.

An individual will always have their own preferences. However, it is essential to stay open to new experiences and trying new things to keep living a fulfilling life. Books, sneakers, and sports are just a few outlets that can provide a sense of fulfillment, belonging, and purpose. All of these are interchangeable with any healthy outlet that allows a person to grow and express themselves.

Creative growth comes from within; an open mind allows for endless possibilities and opportunities.

Never Settle, Never Lose

January 2, 2023

Life is about reaching your full potential. It is easy to beat ourselves up when things aren’t going our way. All of the answers lie within and come when we stay open and never settle for anything less than we deserve. One thing about life that never changes is change itself. If we all knew what tomorrow holds, life would be mundane, monotonous, and morbid. Most of the future ahead is outside of our control. There are very few aspects of life everyone has a direct control over. It makes no sense to over stress about the countless details of life that occur with no regard for the billions of personal lives they affect.

Stoicism is something that the world can use more of especially in the current state of world affairs. Whatever life throws our way is part of life, regardless if the situation is favorable or not. The mind and the world are more connected than most people think. External circumstances do not create realities. However, the way an individual views the world around himself/herself is directly tied to personal thoughts and beliefs rather than external circumstances.

We can’t control what happens to us, only how we react and view the world around us.

Yes, the world can be harsh and cruel sometimes. Everyone goes through struggles of their own. There is no time to feel sorry for yourself. Focus on what truly matters. Anybody who has achieved some sort of success has not waited for the perfect time to go to work. There is no “perfect time.” Be real, learn more, and never settle.

Life is all about expecting the unexpected. Stay honest and never let rough times keep you down forever. As cliche as it sounds, it will always be true- tough times don’t last, tough people do.

Limitless Mind

To separate oneself from the events around them leads to limitless possibilities. Feeling like the world is out to get us or things don’t go our way limits the potential of the mind. Some of the best in various expertises have come from rather unfavorable circumstances.

LeBron James did not feel sorry for himself when he was growing up in an underprivileged neighborhood in Akron, Ohio with his single mother. He could have blamed his environment for his failures. However, we all know that isn’t the case for James. He focused on the future rather than letting his uncomfortable environment hold him back from reaching his full potential.

Too many people think taking care of themselves only relates to exercise and eating healthy. Never settling means to be constantly looking to improve upon all aspects of the body- physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Nobody can do these all at once at the same time. They are all connected and need sufficient time, attention, and effort dedicated to each.

The physical environment around us is important and can shape many respects of life, but the internal aspects are far more vital to achieving anything worthwhile. Bruce Lee captured the importance of the mind and explained, “Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water.” The mind cannot be rigid and set in its ways. Countless individuals may think they are learning, but only retain information which goes along with what they knew beforehand. To be shapeless is to be open before looking to improve.

A closed mind is a mind closed off.

Anyone who does not want to settle in life must remain open to new ideas that may not always be easy to accept. Settling leads to mediocrity. Social media (when used as an outlet to “escape reality”) breeds contentedness. However, someone can use the same platforms to learn about new ideas and network with countless people. The mind cannot differentiate between good and bad unless it is already empty.

Next Moves

To never settle is to look ahead while living in the present. Proper preparation prevents poor planning. The next move is not always the best move. Momentum propels the best moves and proves the wait to be worthy of the patience required for preparation and execution.

Never settle: new heights lead to new views

It isn’t enough to be working only in the moment or taking time to enjoy your (deserved or undeserved) breaks. The best of the best look to create and properly line up at least their next five moves, if not more. A predictable individual often finds themselves closer to falling off than they would originally think.

Being proactive and having a well-defined course of action already sets a person apart from the rest. Life is too unpredictable. It is vital to cook up the next moves so there is ample time and energy to deal with anything unplanned. A poorly planned person cannot adapt efficiently.

Time cannot be manipulated in our favor. More waiting around leads to less time for planning five or more moves to come. People aren’t able to break their personal best but simply moseying their way throughout life. The next best movie of this decade probably hasn’t started production yet or the newest professional sports team is years away from its inception.

We won’t be able to fully predict the future no matter how hard we try. Instead of over-focusing on the future, the present must be used to put future plans into perspective. It makes no sense to waste time focusing on the aspects of life outside of our direct control.

The future is out of our reach.

Nobody can predict what will happen to us or around us.

Be open to being okay with expecting the unexpected.

Delayed W’s

Life teaches us quickly that things don’t always go our way. People take every failure personally and think the world is out to get them. In reality, everyone goes through trials and tribulations all throughout life. The peaks and valleys vary depending on numerous conditions. Not many things in life are certain- one is the fact that everybody will fail, make mistakes, and fall down in one way or another.

To not learn from failures is almost the same as not learning anything new at all. Any setback can lead to a greater comeback, but only with the right mindset.

Losses can be approached in two ways: defeats with nothing to learn from them or experiences that turn into lessons. Experience is often the best teacher in life. Studying and theorizing only goes so far and cannot make up for practical knowledge. Business school is one example of too many theories. Numerous business professors have countless years of wisdom but no real-world business experience. Business owners are often better teachers since they have multiple years of work and some success to show. They go through the ups and downs of dealing with relentless customers, clients, and competitors.

To not learn from failures is almost the same as not learning anything new at all. Any setback can lead to a greater comeback, but only with the right mindset.

Nothing compares to having a pragmatic background that cannot be bought for any amount of money. Theories are essential but nowhere near as valuable as real-world experience that cannot be taught. Nobody can teach experience no matter how hard they try.

Wisdom comes in many forms.

The most valuable is the type that cannot be bought, exchanged, tested, or gifted.

Be Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

A person who often finds themself in their comfort zone tends to stay there. No real growth ever occurs within limits we find ourselves comfortable in. To never settle in life leads to sleepless nights, hard times, and relationships lost. In the end, everything happens for a reason. There’s no reason to try to change the past.

To be uncomfortable in a healthy yet demanding environment leads to countless opportunities for noticeable progress. Nobody can grow while sitting in bed watching tv shows or movies under a comfortable blanket. At the same time, doing the same thing everyday, even if it is productive, does not lead to much growth either.

Committing to the same actions while adding variations produces exorbitant results over a long period of time. No NBA All Star has ever gotten the award with only an off-season or two of uncomfortable and tiring work. They all put in the time and energy for multiple off-seasons and propelled themselves to new heights during the regular and post seasons. LeBron James and Michael Jordan did not get comfortable with winning one NBA championship or one MVP award; they pushed themselves to achieve greatness and break the limits they once put on themselves. To be one of the best requires relentless determination and will over an extended period of time.

The elite athletes, doctors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs all still make mistakes and slip up from time to time. There is no reason to chase the unattainable perfect game, surgery, legal outcome, or business deal. Choosing progress and growth over perfection allows a person to learn from their mistakes and move on rather than dwelling on slip ups.

Nobody becomes successful staying in their comfort zone. Seek progress, never perfection.

Settling For Greatness

Mediocrity is easy to fall victim to. If there was a simple and straightforward path to success and eternal happiness handed on a silver platter, there would be no such thing as success. Accomplishments set people apart. People who are destined for greatness tend to never settle in life.

Basketball is a lot like life. You can practice all the time and still not perform how you want to. In life, a person can put in the work day in and day out without noticeable results. All of the countless hours pay off when it is usually least expected. Success often follows failures and rough times.

The only way to achieve any worthwhile success is to never settle for anything short of greatness. Keeping high expectations and standards pushes a person to excel in their respected area of expertise.

Life will not bring greatness without the required time and undivided effort. Never settle for mediocrity- it’s better to not try at all than to willingly aim for average.

Never settle, never lose

Be Water, My Friend Review

December 29, 2022

Shannon Lee has been an instrumental piece in preserving and continuing her father’s ideals and impact still felt around the world. She wrote Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee to show how her late father thought on a regular basis and how he approached life. This book talks directly to the reader rather than simply trying to explain certain events and concepts. Shannon Lee used her father’s teachings to express how he saw the world around him. She stresses how the reader should focus on their world while taking away valuable lessons from Bruce Lee’s remarkable life.

Since being published in 2020, Be Water, My Friend has been influential towards various individuals who are interested in martial arts and philosophy. Many of Bruce Lee’s philosophies have been especially relevant now in a world full of change. He was without a doubt ahead of his time and would have been an extremely influential figure in today’s society. Lee’s teachings provided clarity for numerous individuals who never knew how powerful the mind could truly be.

Bruce Lee is a legend that will never be forgotten. He was a pioneer who bridged the gap between Chinese martial arts and cinema with its American counterparts. Lee became a global icon of being fierce, yet calm and poised. Anyone who has seen Enter the Dragon (1973) knows how powerful Bruce Lee’s presence truly was. He knew he was a badass who could finish his opponents in an agile way. He relied on technique and finesse rather than brute force. Thankfully, Bruce Lee’s legacy will live on for numerous generations.

Formless Like Water

Bruce Lee focused on the importance of water and how it can be a metaphor for essential principles in everyday life. He stressed the significance of nature around us and how “Like flowing water, life is perpetual movement” (Lee 24). Life is never the same as it was yesterday; everyday brings new challenges and obstacles that we have no idea about. Although humans cannot see into the future, one thing we know for certain is how life will never be stagnant. Change requires flexibility and pliability like water. We have to adapt to our surroundings in order to flow with life’s currents.

“Like flowing water, life is perpetual movement.” -Bruce Lee

Perception is Reality

Bruce Lee emphasized the significance of learning from the world around you. Experience is without a doubt one of the best teachers anyone can have in life. Setbacks in life are prevalent; how we react to them is often more important than the act of failing itself. Lee explained how defeat does not make someone a failure.

“We are always in a process of becoming and nothing is fixed. Have no rigid system in you, and you’ll be flexible to change with the ever changing. Open yourself and flow, my friend. Flow in the total openness of the living moment. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Moving, be like water. Still, be like a mirror. Respond like an echo.”
(Lee 156-7)

The importance of perception and the state of mind are both essential recurring themes in Be Water, My Friend. Lee brought up the fact that perception truly is reality: “You are the greater and the interpreter your life in every moment. Things have meaning to you because you give them that meaning—no one else” (Lee 140). Nobody can live a fulfilling life for you. A healthy state of mind goes hand in hand with clear perception. Powerful abilities come from the mind before anything else. The way someone thinks brings more power than any outside force ever will.

Self Worth

Be Water, My Friend stresses the importance of being your authentic self. Bruce Lee’s philosophies can be applied to millions of people’s lives. He wanted to help others by promoting self-confidence. Lee’s values are timeless and can teach many people more about life than studying a philosophy textbook.

Lee’s cognitive ability was often overshadowed by his martial arts talent, but he became a martial arts legend due to his intellectual prowess. Shannon Lee demonstrated the fact that her father knew how being true to yourself opens endless opportunities, “Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it. Start from the very root of your being which is ‘how can I be me?'” (Lee 200).

When failure is looking at us directly, it is often hard to see the lesson at the moment. However, if we keep our head up and keep moving on, we have the ability to learn from defeat in countless ways. Nobody is a failure until they deem themselves one. Any lasting and meaningful success will not come without some form of failure beforehand.

“Defeat is a state of mind; no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as a reality. To me, defeat in anything is merely temporary, and its punishment is but an urge for me to exert greater effort to achieve my goal. Defeat simply tells me that something is wrong in my doing; it is a path leading to success and truth.”
Lee 136

We often limit ourselves before even making an attempt at confronting something that might scare us. A healthy state of mind can lead to a world of endless possibilities. The opposite is essential to understand as well. If we have limiting thoughts, our potential to achieve great things will be restricted too.

Lee’s Transformation: Be Water

One of the most important aspects of the book is how Bruce Lee transformed himself after deeming himself too rigid and traditional. Lee established his own martial arts school called the Jun Fan Guy Fu Institutes in Seattle, Washington and Oakland, California. In 1964, the San Francisco Chinatown community was extremely upset with Lee’s rebellious ways after he opened up he is second school in Oakland. They felt he was disrespecting their ways and challenged him to a match to determine the outcome of Lee’s future in teaching martial arts. If he won, he would be able to continue teaching his ways as usual, but if he lost, he would have to quit his teaching. Obviously, Bruce Lee would not back down from this challenge.

The match took place in November 1964 at Bruce Lee’s school in Oakland. The opposition was a fighter who was randomly selected and less skilled than Lee. Since he had the fight on his home turf, he elected for no official rules during the match. Traditional ways were nowhere to be found in the quarrel. Lee chased his opponent around until he finally pinned the man down on his back, yelling repeatedly in Cantonese, “Do you give up?!” until the opponent gave in and ended the match. Lee was nowhere near satisfied, even though he won the fight without a doubt. He threw any sort of technique out the window in order to win and quickly understood how important it was to become more flexible.

This particular fight in Lee’s career proved to be a significant moment of truth. He realized his traditional and rigid techniques would not get him very far in life. Bruce Lee knew his limited martial arts methodology must be put to rest. He had a friend create him a mini tombstone which read: “In memory of a once fluid man crammed and distorted by the classical mess” (Lee 60). Shannon Lee explained how this symbolized a turning point in her father’s life.

He had to alter his orthodox ways to get back to his free-flowing approach. She added, “It was a reminder to move forward like flowing water” (Lee 60). Without the fight and the symbolic mini-tombstone, Bruce Lee most likely would not have been as widely known as he is today. His ability to adapt and force himself to become more fluid proved to be invaluable for his entire life.

Be Water: The Way of the Intercepting Fist

Lee brought a new approach to his environment and adapted it according to his ideals and beliefs. He did not confine himself to traditional martial arts standards. His expression of martial arts reflected how he viewed the world around him. Jeet Kune Do, which translates to “The Way of the Intercepting Fist,” is one of Bruce Lee’s most impactful works of art. Lee did not like to call it a style of martial arts. He viewed it as an expression and philosophy that conveys his principles in a nonverbal manner. He often questioned traditional practices of kung fu. Lee believed a person had to be prepared for an opponent’s next move rather than already having a premeditated and rigid approach. Being adaptable to an opponent leaves room for more creativity and fluidity. Jeet Kune Do stresses the importance of balancing give and take in martial arts.

Never Forgotten

The legend of Bruce Lee lives on today and will for the foreseeable future. Even today, martial arts and social justice exude Lee’s influence. Lee always sought to bring awareness of supporting minority groups, especially Asian Americans and African Americans. Bruce Lee dealt with racism during his cinematic career in Hollywood. Due to this, he did not want Asian Americans to be in roles with a negative connotation. He used his experience to become an ally to other minorities who were subject to oppression. Everyone can learn from Lee by supporting those who do not have a heard voice and judging an individual by their character rather than how they look.

Bruce “Little Dragon” Lee became a martial arts icon as he continued to teach and promote his own practice. He did not back down from any opponent and definitely did not limit his abilities and teachings to a strict set of rules. Lee stressed the importance of a flexible approach in martial arts and life throughout his respected philosophies.

Unfortunately, he was not able to see the official release of one of his greatest accomplishments. On July 20, 1973, Bruce Lee passed away at the young age of 32 in Hong Kong due to swelling of the brain. The premier of Enter the Dragon was on August 19, almost exactly a month after Lee’s tragic death. May we never fail to forget the impact Bruce Lee continues to have on the martial arts community, the Chinese and Chinese-American communities, and countless supporters around the world who admire his work and philosophy.

Lee, Shannon. Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee. Flatiron Books, 2020.

The Future of Ubinami

December 29, 2022

This is just the beginning of Ubinami and the existence of this blog. Looking forward, there will be more reviews on sneakers, books, and anything that comes to mind (lifestyle). Additionally, the introduction of store reviews and one-on-one interviews will come sooner than later. The sneaker, streetwear, and vintage communities have countless individuals waiting eagerly to share their stories with the world. Ubinami’s future will provide a cooperative space for these creatives and enthusiasts.

Within the next year, Ubinami will start having guest contributors as well. Nobody can do everything completely on their own; there is no better way than to share responsibilities and rewards with people you know personally and acquaintances made over the past few years.

In the near future, there will be an expansion to showcase local creatives’ brands and their various works. It is essential for Ubinami to create a space for artists, designers, and entrepreneurs alike to demonstrate their abilities for others to appreciate. Nothing compares to a community that holds its members accountable; anybody who is associated with Ubinami will never be anywhere near mediocre.

Live events will eventually be part of the Ubinami universe as a place for other creatives to showcase their own brands, collaborate with Ubinami, and network with like-minded individuals. The virtual world holds endless possibilities, but cannot mimic the vibe of in-person events surrounded with people who are passionate about similar things.

Ubinami will continue to bring people together both virtually and in the real world. Pop up events, fundraisers, and community events are just a few examples of in person events. Individuals will be able to network and collaborate cooperatively in a healthy and positive environment. Ubinami will only censor hateful or derogatory speech, never divergent opinions that are civil and well mannered.

Most of the posts will stick to sneakers and books with the occasional lifestyle articles. Lifestyle includes anything that comes to mind especially current events involving sneakers, streetwear, and sports. Posts will bring up relevant concerns and issues. Healthy discussions need a comments and interactions to thrive.

Nothing is ever set in stone especially with an online blog like Ubinami. Adaption is key and will continue to be in the near and far future. It is essential to be open to new concepts and creative ideas that will propel the brand its full potential.

Thanks for joining the ride. Here’s to many years ahead of countless conversations and advocating for impactful change within the community.