Temper

Curing a bad Temper

During certain times of the year people seem to be irritated quicker than at other times. The holidays bring on many frustrations because not only do you have your regular tasks to do, you have the additional stresses and strains of the holidays. Buying presents, wrapping presents, mailing presents, added money strains, charge accounts, etc…, food to make, school plays to attend, holiday parties ….all or any of these can cause you to loose your temper saying things you don’t mean and taking out on loved ones any frustrations.

The following inspirational story illustrates the effects your temper (your actions) have on others.

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There was once a little boy who had a very bad temper. His father decided to hand him a bag of nails and said that every time the boy lost his temper, he had to hammer a nail into the fence.

On the first day, the boy hammered 37 nails into the fence.

Over the next few weeks, the boy gradually began to control his temper. The number of nails he was hammering into the fence slowly decreased.

He discovered it was easier to control his temper than to hammer the nails into the fence.

Finally, the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father the news. The father said, “good, now pull out a nail every day you keep your temper under control.”

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.

“You have done well, my son, and look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like these holes in the fence. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It will not matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.

Moral – Do not say things to people in the heat of the moment that you will regret later. Some things in life, you are unable to take back and even if you do the scar is still there.

During this holiday season, no matter what happens be grateful, be appreciative, be kind and above all else be sure to help someone.

Sincerely with love,

Ask Mary Ellen

(Mary Ellen Ciganovich)