Temper, Temper

As long as I remember my mother taught us not to fight. She was like all mothers... no fighting means less chance of an injured child.

Of course there were still fights. Brothers against brothers, sisters against sisters, and brothers against sisters. We were normal children after all. 

At times there were confrontations with other children. Someone would say or do something that would tick off the other. It happens.

Mom used those times to teach us. Instead of saying, "Use your words," she would tell us that "When you lose your temper you have lost control of the situation." Think about it. Even in a fist fight the person who is wildly swinging out of anger will probably get a black eye from a single punch from a person in control.

Even in a debate it will be the person who keeps a cool head who will win. They are in control.

The older I get the more wisdom I see in my mother's teachings. I tried to teach my children the same lesson. Their grandmother also told them the same.

The idea does necessarily work at first. My children also had a hot-headed father. However they now try to teach their children and grandchildren to not lose their tempers. The lesson took.

Now this does not mean you must abandon your feelings. You can still defend yourself if need be. It simply means you can be in control of the situation. 

Remember if you lose your temper you lose control.