Why Should a Girl Care What Bruce Lee Had to Say?

Originally posted August 2009.

“One does not accumulate but eliminate.  It is not daily increase but daily decrease.  The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity.” 

~Bruce Lee

When I stumbled upon these words by Bruce Lee-master of martial arts and fascination to every man on earth, a light bulb went off. 

I realized I had been practicing this very idea with my diabetes management for some time.  Bruce Lee was right on with this.  Here’s why:

First off, I decided a while back to simplify the task of giving insulin by following a lower carbohydrate diet.  What I eliminated were some carbohydrates. 

This allows for less insulin administering and smaller scale errors afterwards.  It also translates into less time waiting for the insulin to work before eating.  Sometimes I eat something which I don’t have to give insulin for, depending on my blood sugar at the time and in that case there is less pain, too. 

All in all I eliminated a lot with one move. 

Another example is when I switched from using an insulin pump back to the humble syringe.  I wanted to eliminate the possible impediments of air in the tubing, a faulty insertion site, and a mishap with the computer of the pump itself.  Any of these issues would hurt my diabetes management (and frustrate me).  So I eliminated them. 

Left to use was a bottle of insulin and a syringe.  I draw up the exact dosage I need everytime and inject in a different spot (practicing good rotation).  Then I relish in the fact that I don’t have to worry about the insulin not reaching me for some reason.  And if I am not home I don’t have to worry about a problem with the pump-which would makes me return home to fix or take the time to inconveniently redo the site wherever I’m at. 

Simple, yet reliable.

These two changes alone have made my life so much easier AND have allowed me to take my A1c level to the 5% range.

Oh yes, and did I mention I lost weight?  It is more tempting to hit a button on the pump than pull out a needle and inject. 

So just think about this concept, you don’t have to try anything I have.  Just consider what you might simplify in your life.  Then joke with your guy about having something in common with Bruce Lee.  He’ll give you a strange look, but he’ll be listening.