Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American writer, shared "Thoughts are things." Considering what we know about the human brain, his statement is true.

Some people seem to have energy that others lack. Are they more aware of their self-identity? You can almost feel the energy from people who strive for self-improvement.

We can gain an advantage by learning and applying principles just as ancient navies utilized the advantage of the weather gage.

When you plan as a martial artist, you should visualize the big picture of your training and individual skills. Your skill level will improve faster because you focus on prioritizing training.

Making good choices based on looking closely at possible outcomes and unintended consequences provides an opportunity for successful decision-making.

I believe determination is a quality found in those who know how to accomplish dreams. They know that they will need the endurance to see a dream through to the end. They never give up and always keep their eye on the possibility.

"How can I start developing my leadership skills at my age?" The students asking this type of question are already one step ahead of their peers who are not searching for leadership skills.

We cannot always avoid unintended consequences, but if we are proactive, we can decrease ripple consequences from striking like a giant wave.

Most importantly, teach them good online habits by having ongoing conversations. Build a trusting relationship with your child. Have discussions about what they are looking at online. Will they know what to do if they encounter harmful content? Can they identify harmful content? Teach online safety. Be a good listener and be open to discussions. Explain to them why too much social media and other excessive online activities can be addictive.

A home invasion victim might experience anger or fear responses. Those feelings can set knowledge seekers to action. But there are other knowledge-seeker stimulators.

Respect can enhance leadership and team relationships, but respect toward others should be normal behavior. It takes little effort to be respectful. The next time you are respectful, observe the response. It will likely bouse back as respect.

At Delaware Hapkido, we start each lesson by verbalizing our expectations:

• be respectful

• be responsible

• be safe

We have found that having high expectations benefits our students. Expectations facilitate a fun learning environment where each student contributes and grows personally.

Sometimes our habits are hidden. We do certain things out of habit without considering the possibility of improvement. It's like we are on autopilot. Self-analysis can help us identify opportunities to improve habits.

People that are unreplaceable understand that their obsession with quality and getting results will eventually lead to opportunities.

Before you join or enroll your kids in any martial art school, you must identify the motivation for the decision.

We need to be gracious and take advantage of teaching opportunities. As we work with mentees, we must creatively share knowledge - superior mentors balance listening and teaching.

As a high school principal, I observed students with tremendous work ethic. To be successful, they prepared in advance for upcoming tests. Cramming was not a part of their strategy. They knew that to get into the college or career of their dreams, they had to do well on academic tests. For that reason, they worked hard and prepared in advance.

Although it is simple, the rewards of courtesy are big. People notice. You will stand out from others, but the best reward is knowing that you are making an effort to be considerate.

The self-discipline of endurance is a life skill. It is not always the most talented person who succeeds. The people with a can-do attitude and the mindset that they will not stop until they reach their goal will achieve the most exceptional results. They will also know what it feels like to earn it.

Criminals do not care about the victim. They are more like the wolf, and they will seek someone who appears to be weak. Because of this, you should choose to study and practice self-defense strategies.