Temper

      Temper seems a strange subject on a spiritual site. Is that a thought that might cross your mind? Actually, it is an aspect that is in all in various degrees. We talk about being even tempered or 'losing our temper'. Speaking of losing one's temper, have you ever thought about where it goes after you lose it? Sparks of energy spread all around or directed in a focussed way can affect all those who are near and sometimes even those far away. It can be a dangerous blast or an explosion of rage with violent repercussions. It can be verbal or physical, intentional or unintentional. It can be habitual or a rare occurrence.

      What causes a loss of temper? It can be that little "straw that breaks a camel's back" or something unjust. Feelings of irritation or imbalanced energy can be suppressed only so long before they find expression in some manner, either by manifesting in the body or exploding out of it. There are classes now in anger management, but those are not available to all nor would everyone be comfortable taking such a class. Perhaps you're one of those rare persons who has never lost your temper and don't believe you have one. Somewhere deep inside is something which can trigger that as you see in some who seem mild and unperturbable and then suddenly show a different dark side of themselves.

      Even tempered is a balance of emotions. It doesn't mean we never get angry or irritated but we are able to maintain a balance inwardly which seldom shifts too much in one direction or the other. Increasingly, there is more and more stress in the world and layers of temper seem to escape each day. In a busy work place it is too easy to feel that this is part of the day, the style of the occupation or the personality of an employee. It does not need to be that way but it is easy to see a habit of temper expressions become a part of one's life. The first thing is to become aware. Perhaps you are the instigator or perhaps you have to be the recipient of the "verbal punching bag". Inward balance can temper or calm but of course it is better if it is not there in the first place. Take a breath before you respond. Take a slow, deep breath. It's a simple thing but it helps. Take several and see if you can actually feel your body and mind shifting to a centering or balanced way of being. We sometimes overlook a simple step because it is too simple. It would be nice if we could take a timeout to walk in a garden or sit in a quiet space but the world is just not that way, so we must rely on that which is with us at all times - our breathing. Try different rhymthic ways of breathing. Try a sigh. Try following your breath inside to see if you can actually feel how far it goes. To find balance we must strive to buffer the energies that come at us each day. Balance your mind, balance your words, and balance your spirit. Become you as you were meant to be.