Stay in Control: Our Minds, Our Words,
and Our Actions
In karate, we spend a lot of time learning how to control our bodies. We practice our stances,
punches, kicks, blocks, and movements so that we can perform them with purpose and
precision.
But there is another kind of control that is just as important—learning to control ourselves.
Self-control means being able to stop, think, and make a good choice before we speak or act.
Control Your Thoughts and Your Words
Our thoughts can have a powerful influence on our words.
Sometimes we get angry, frustrated, embarrassed, or upset. In those moments, it can be easy
to say the first thing that comes into our minds. But words can hurt.
A careless comment, an insult, or speaking without thinking can stay with someone long after
the moment has passed.
That is why we need to learn to pause and ask ourselves:
“Is what I’m about to say helpful or hurtful?”
We don’t have to say everything we think. Having a thought doesn’t mean we have to turn it into
words.
Self-control gives us the ability to stop, think, and choose our words carefully
Control Your Body and Your Actions
The same is true with our bodies.
When we become angry or frustrated, our bodies can want to react before our minds have had
a chance to think. We might push, shove, hit, throw something, slam a door, or make another
careless choice.
In karate, we learn that our techniques require control. We don’t simply throw a punch or kick
without thinking about where it is going.
The stronger we become, the more control we should have.
That applies outside the dojo, too.
Our hands, feet, and bodies should never become weapons when we are angry or frustrated.
We should use our strength to protect, help, encourage, and serve others—not to hurt them.
Slow Down Before You React
Many mistakes happen because we react too quickly.
Someone says something we don’t like, and we immediately respond.
Someone frustrates us, and we lose our temper.
We become upset, and we act before thinking about the consequences.
Sometimes all we need is a few seconds.
Stop. Take a breath. Think. Then choose.
Those few seconds can make the difference between making a good decision and making a
careless mistake that hurts someone else.
Our Choices Affect Other People
One of the most important things we learn as we grow is that our choices don’t affect only us.
Our words can affect someone’s feelings.
Our actions can affect someone’s safety.
Our attitudes can affect the people around us.
That means self-control isn’t just about making ourselves better. It’s also about caring enough
about others to control ourselves.
When we choose our words carefully and control our actions, we show respect.
Control Is a Sign of Strength
At Warriors of Grace Karate, we don’t want our students to become strong only in their punches
and kicks. We want them to become strong in their character.
True strength isn’t losing control when we’re angry.
True strength is having the ability to control ourselves when we have every reason to
react.
We will all make mistakes. We will all have moments when we become frustrated or angry. What
matters is learning to recognize those moments and making a better choice the next time.
So this week, let’s practice more than controlling our techniques.
Let’s practice controlling our thoughts, our words, and our actions.
Before we speak, think.
Before we react, pause.
Before we act, consider how our choice might affect someone else.
Because when we learn to control ourselves, we don’t just become better karate students.
We become better friends, better family members, better leaders, and better people.
