When I think of kung fu I first think of a brand of Chinese martial arts.
However, when I go back to my family roots and my first language, cantonese, kung fu or gung fu actually has a completely different meaning.
You see, kung fu actually describes the process of obtaining mastery in ones craft.
If your craft is cooking then your kung fu would look something like, a course in preliminary food hygiene, then basic cookery skills, advanced skills, formal study and then apprenticeship under a reputable chef. Making lots of mistakes, learning from them and improving ones culinary skills.
After many thousands of hours labouring over a hot stove, literally, one may qualify as a chef. The journey is describing the kung fu. Not the attainment of the qualification.
Just like in the making of a sword. You need a kiln, iron, coal, an anvil, hammer, and grinder to sharpen an edge.
Then hundreds and hundreds of hours heating, beating, heating, beating and grinding.
You get the idea right?
It seems we’ve lost something as we advance our society. We’ve lost the appreciation, patience and trust for the process.