The Sunday Mail
Life Issues with FGK
MANY people do not realise their way of thinking has created the person they are today.
The past years have given you a chance to define yourself through thought and action; guided by time and chance.
It is up to us to use the time we are given daily by working on ourselves first before other people. Circumstances we grew up in, the environment which was always hostile or unfavourable, the parents or guardians that raised us, the school we attended, etcetera, determine who we are.
But ultimately we are the sole dictators of our destiny. The Holy Book in Proverbs says: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”.
Whatever you become is a product of your thinking pattern, which translates to your character. Character is the way or quality in which we live our lives.
Character then becomes a very important topic which we must discuss.
In particular, we must dissect one of its elements called “temper”.
Temper can be defined as a certain type of mood or a habitual way of thinking, behaving or reacting.
There is good and bad temper.
However, most times the word is used to refer to a tendency to become very irritable or angry. We all have that one friend, a neighbour, co-worker, boss or pastor we know to have a very irritable character and who often blow their fuse and throw tantrums unexpectedly at the slightest provocation.
Bad temper is often created by an overblown ego.
When one thinks they are too superior not to deserve being wronged or being treated in a certain way, they tend to explode when they think they are being slighted.
Most times a bad-tempered person does not have to be provoked to be hostile.
This trait, however, tends to isolate people and make them lonely.
A bad temper is often so corrosive enough to put off even the most patient and loyal of people we have in our lives.
Imagine having a partner, friend or boss who always erupts in anger without taking time to understand what would have happened. It is very difficult for creativity and positivity to flourish in the company of temperamental individuals.
One wrong act or misdeed can undo years of hard work and positivity.
Reputation can take years to build, but it takes only one incident to destroy it for good. It is, therefore, wise to always keep your thinking, behaviour and attitude in check. Self-introspection daily is key to maintaining good character and to sound the alarm if you have begun nurturing a bad habit unknowingly.
We, therefore, have to consciously choose the way we behave on a daily basis.
Look yourself in the mirror every day and define who you are. When you forget to tell yourself who you are, then society will do it for you.
Being aware of who you are then becomes an advantage because it helps regulate the way you should conduct yourself.
We choose behaviour every minute, hour and day.
By so doing, we are choosing habits and ultimately character and fate.
Life then becomes a total sum of our choices and actions.
Bad temper is not only an enemy to others but also its host. Choose to respond gracefully, calmly and honourably to situations. Control your temper to build good, lasting relationships.
When you sit down to think properly, you will realise that most of those people who do not want to associate with you are running away from a certain negative trait in your personality. Think of that friend of yours who used to be very close to you but no longer picks up your calls. You might have lost them to temper. Some of you might have lost jobs because you unnecessarily started fights because of your hot temper.
Also, most of your relationships could be hanging by a thread because when you are angry your tongue becomes loose and electric. You just spit words before they are processed by the brain.
It is a shame!
Temper is corrosive to relationships; keep it in check. It is nothing to be proud of; it is a disease!
Quote of the week: When you forget telling yourself who you are, then society will do it for you.
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