There is very little talk today about temperament and its importance in our lives. This doesn’t mean it’s not important. In fact I think it needs to be stressed more than it is.

The word temperament refers to the mental and emotional traits of an individual. It is his natural predisposition to think and speak, or act and react, in certain ways in a variety of situations or under different circumstances. Even temperament implies that the person is not easily disturbed or upset. His moods don’t vary a lot, especially for daily interaction or short-term issues. He is not moved out of his normal disposition unless there are serious challenges, problems, or threats. Even then he returns to his normal self soon thereafter. This results in more happiness over the years.

Many people would judge themselves as being more even tempered than they really are. Obviously this raises their self-image, but it doesn’t address areas of weakness which interfere with sustaining or improving their temperament. Let me give a few examples.

When things don’t go as planned, we react in an impatient manner. We may blame others. Often profanity is used in our speech. We get upset and in some cases angry. This is not being consistent and even in our temperament.

Too often we are even tempered only when things go well for us. We are optimistic, not pessimistic. We have faith and hope. We may be idealistic. Then when reality settles in, we don’t like some of the things we experience. It is then that we can easily react to what is happening in our lives. Our moods change, as well as some attitudes. Our emotional reactions change too. Our temperament is now more negative in nature, and can stay that way for months or years. This is especially true if we don’t monitor our temperament and compare it to what it was like in the past when things were going better for us.

Being even tempered requires a lot of self-control. This sounds like work or a restrictive position to be in, but it’s really the best policy in the long run. As you gain more self-control, it’s easier to maintain it and even gain more of it. Then good temperament is easier to obtain and sustain.

It’s easier to have good temperament and sustain it when stress is kept under control or within reasonable limits. Consider what cause stress and strain in your life. Seek ways to reduce these. Automatically, it will be easier to be even tempered.

Related to stress, don’t set too many goals at once. Don’t set unrealistic goals. Don’t try to be someone you aren’t. All these types of things merely place a load or burden on you. Eventually, they begin to pull you down. The net result is more discouragement and pessimism, and ultimately failure. Most people cannot handle too much of these things without their temperament being affected in a negative way.

Being even tempered doesn’t mean you can’t take sides in a debate, sue in court, defend your rights, or protect yourself. Reasonable actions can be taken, especially after thinking about them and their effects on you and others.

The above examples should illustrate that a person’s natural temperament is subject to many influences, and over a period of time, it can be modified in significant ways. There are lots of ways temperament is affected. Seek the ways to improve it or strengthen it.

As you look at yourself in the mirror, here is what you should ask. Just how even tempered am I? Some people are naturally more this way than others. How easy is it for events and circumstances, people and relationships, health or financial concerns, and other things to affect my temperament? It takes a lot to move some individuals out of their natural temperament. For others, it’s easy to move them away from their natural temperament. What type of individual are you?

Once you clearly understand the various aspects of your temperament and how they can be affected, figure out how to sustain the best temperature you can for your living conditions. As you then monitor your temperament in the future, you’ll easily notice when something disturbs it. Learn to overcome such things and you’ll gain even more control over temperament.

The rewards of good temperament are many. There is more self-control . There are less mistakes and less regrets in the things you say and do. There is more control of things involving others like relationships and group decisions. There is better handling of things outside yourself like circumstances. You feel better more hours of the day and more days of the week. With time this produces less variations in mood and more consistent happiness. Who doesn’t want this? And the price is affordable for all of us. Merely do some self-evaluation, develop some strategy, monitor yourself, and let the benefits come into your life. Personal fulfillment will come and you’ll experience more success in various endeavors.

As I said at the beginning of this article, the newspapers don’t mention good temperament, nor do the news shows. But it plays a part in many events that you hear or see in the news. Human character is always part of the news and temperament affects character.

I challenge you to pay attention to your temperament. Have good temperament on a consistent basis. Let it enrich your life.

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Copyright  2008     Leland Pulley