Article October 30, 2006 Issue

TEMPERING TEMPER

BY JOHN MINARD

I've always thought of myself as a calm and collected person. Yet on rare occasions, when I've least expected it, some set of circumstances, emotions, or harsh words have overridden my calm capacity and sparked a momentary surge of temper, making me feel like a thermometer bursting from extreme heat.

Some might say it's only human to have one or two little hot buttons, or sensitive subjects that can ignite a hidden spark of anger. But I'm finding it is possible to quell any tendency toward over-sensitivity, resentment, or temper.

I remember a business meeting where I felt one individual was chopping down every idea I suggested—often before I'd even finished explaining it. My hot button was pushed once too often. After a few rounds of interruptions, I retorted something to the effect of, "Well, if you'd let me complete my comment, it might not be as bad as you think!" The strong tone of my remark put a hush on the whole meeting. I don't think anyone saw it coming—I certainly didn't. And as soon as it happened, I regretted my sudden outburst. That reaction wasn't like me at all.