WHY I ACT THE WAY I DO

I remember clearly the very day that I heard of the book, why you act the way you do, authored by Tim Lahaye. It was a relative who had told me about it during one of our routine Christmas holiday visits ro the village while we were having a conversation. He, being a graduate of psychology and I, on the other hand, was yet to get admitted into the university, but somehow we'd got talking about him and our conversation drifted to books and all and one that helped him in his profession. He told a lot about the book that I was intrigued. And boy, back then, was I crazy about books more than the present day. Unfortunately, he didn't have the book within reach, and all I could do was stick the title and author's name somewhere at the back of my head with the hopes that I'd eventually purchase it. And I did. The very week I got back to base - my state of residence.

Unsplash

Why you act the way you do by Tim Lahaye happened to be the first ever 'big book' that I got with my money. I bought a lot of books but that one was the most expensive so I could never forget it.
The book happens to be an enlightening, relatable, and practical one. In there, I learned of the four primary temperaments -sanguine, choleric, melancholy, and phlegmatic. I may not be apt with my descriptions as it's been well over eight years since I read it, but if I recall, sanguine are more the happy, bubbly, optimistic people. Cholerics have a little less energy than sanguines. Melancholy are somewhat moody, reserved, and one while phlegmatics are all of melancholy plus fear, shyness, and the rest not-quite-admirablet raits. Note that all of theze temperaments have their strengths and weaknesses.

Now, these temperaments could be a mix. There were different traits attributed to each temperament, and in most cases, you will find that you had some attributes from two of the temperaments. Say, from sanguine and choleric (sangchol) or melancholy and phlegmatic (melphleg) and others.

At the time, I thought I belonged in the melancholy and phlegmatic category only.. Nah, I did not think anything...Scratch that. The traits I was sincere enough to myself to admit I had fell in those categories(at least the most of them). But right now, I feel like I don't fall there anymore. I think I should go back, read the book, and do an updated analysis of what I have made of my behavior and temperaments. There will be a lot more change. Cause I no longer am as withdrawn, scared, and particularly as angry as I used to be then. I do think that I have achieved some choleric traits. I still am in the mel-phleg group cause i still am an introvert who is strong-willed, discerning and calm.

You know, I did not quite realize how grown I'd become. It's been a long time since I read that book or did any temperament analysis. And back then, I only concentrated on the mel-phleg, cause hey, 'that's my tribe.' Deep down, I was a young girl who wished, hoped, struggled and prayed(yes, I said prayers) that I would let go of these attributes that made me angry all the time and stiff. I knew I had gotten better in a lot if ways but until this prompt, and thinking back to that book and trying, but not being able to match my persona with those temperaments, I didn't realize how much progress that I have made. What I'm saying is that I'm very grateful for this topic. I really am.

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