Grade 9 students are now entering the full preparation stage for their high school entrance examinations.

During this period, many of them may feel stress or pressure from studying.

Sometimes, this can even affect their relationships with friends.

At the November junior high Morning Assembly(November 4th), I talked to the students about the importance of controlling their emotions in such situations.

I hope this will also serve as a good opportunity for families to discuss together how to manage feelings and cope with stress at home.

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Good morning, everyone.

Today, I want to talk about the final game of the World Series in the United States.

In the last inning, the Dodgers were winning 4–3 after coming from behind.

If they could keep one run, they would win. But if the other team got two runs, they would lose.

It was a very tense moment.

The pitcher was Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The game was at the Blue Jays’ home stadium, and almost all the fans were cheering for the other team.

Even under such strong pressure, Yamamoto stayed calm, pitched very well, and led his team to victory.

Have you ever thought about this?

How was he able to stay so calm under such big pressure?

Let’s imagine something.

If you put a 50-centimeter-wide board on the floor and someone says, “Please walk on it,” most people can walk easily.

But if the same board is between two tall buildings, 100 meters high, could you walk on it?

Probably not.

It’s the same board, but the situation is different.

That’s what pressure is like — it’s the “height” that makes it scary.

Yamamoto was in the same kind of situation, just like walking between tall buildings.

He could do well not only because of his skill,

but because he could control his fear and feelings.

This ability to control your emotions is not only important in big games.

It’s also important in our daily lives.

For example:

When your friend says something mean,

when your parents say “Do your homework!”,

or when your teacher scolds you.

You might feel angry or upset.

But what you do next — how you control your feelings — is very important.

So, how can you control your pressure or anger?

I won’t tell you the answer today.

I want each of you to think about it.

What can you do to be like Yamamoto — strong against pressure and emotions?

I’ll share my ideas in the next Morning Assembly.

Until then, please think about your own answer.