There is an ancient Chinese saying, sometimes attributed to
Lao Tzu, “The best fighter is never angry.” This saying truly gets to the heart
of what it means to have self-control, especially in the context of the Black
Belt. What it does not mean is that anger is an emotion to be avoided; it is
actually saying that the best fighter, or best person, is a master of his or
her self-control and is able to separate their emotions from their actions.
When a Black Belt masters his or her emotions they are not
suppressing them; instead the emotions are recognized, understood, evaluated,
and channeled appropriately by the conscientious student. It is ok, often
expected, to feel strong emotions, be they happiness, sadness, fear, or anger.
Feeling those emotions helps you to validate and understand what is happening
to you, but acting on those emotions can lead to foolish or rash decisions.
Understanding your emotions and identifying them allows you
to channel them. All of that work put into getting in front of your emotions
teaches you to channel them when you need to. You can punch like you mean it, run
like you’re being chased, empathize with a friend who’s having difficulties, or
show everyone how amazing something is by bringing out your happiness!
Building self-control requires introspection. You must
practice acknowledging your emotions, figuring out why you’re feeling those
emotions, and then ask yourself what the right decision is without them. Having
a clear mind to do so requires having a clear body. Your health and well being
have an impact on your emotions and your self-control. Regular exercise, and a
diet rich in vegetables, proteins, fruits, and nuts keep your whole body
operating as a well-oiled machine with a motivated state of mind.
Practice thinking about what you are doing before you do it.
Don’t be impulsive. Exercise self-control. Eat well and exercise.
Be in control of your emotions, attitudes, and actions;
don’t let them control you!
#WordsOfWisdom
