MY TEMPERAMENT
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When we talk about temperament, we often think first about how different people react to different situations. Temperament is truly an individual difference because the way I react to issues might not be the same way you react to them.
Before we go further, let me give a brief definition of what temperament is. According to BetterHelp temperament generally refers to a set of traits that relate to your approach to the world around you. It is an aspect of personality often concerned with emotional dispositions and reactions. It can also be used to describe a person’s typical mood. According to the ancient Greeks, there are four main temperaments, which are choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic, and melancholic.
From this definition, we can see that temperament has to do with traits, and these traits affect our mood and how we respond to things. Four kinds of temperaments have been listed above. Interestingly, a person might have a combination of two different temperaments, and sometimes one may be more dominant than the other.
However, for the purpose of this write-up, I will focus on a traditional way of looking at temperament, which is the idea of high and low temperament. People with high temperament are often those who react to things with full energy, are very expressive, and may easily become upset. For instance, I have a friend who quickly gets angry over issues. He may not wait to hear the full story before reacting, and he is always ready to stir up conflict. Such individuals can be seen as having high temperament.
On the other hand, those who are calmer, emotionally reserved, or slow to react to situations are often considered to have low temperament.
As I mentioned earlier, some people exhibit traits from both types, though one may be more dominant. Personally, I fall into the category of those with low temperament. I tend to observe issues carefully before reacting. I can easily get along with others if the environment is conducive. I enjoy making people smile, and I expect the same from others. I came to understand this part of myself better during my time in higher institution.
To be honest, this temperament has helped me avoid a lot of conflicts and has drawn me closer to people with similar traits. It has also helped me manage and interact well with people who have hot temperaments.
One thing I do not really like about having a low temperament is that sometimes people may try to take advantage of your calm nature or abuse the privileges you give them. But as the saying goes, "since the birds have learned to fly without perching, the hunters must learn to shoot without missing." Over the years, I have learned how to manage this aspect of my temperament. Sometimes I become a bit stricter, I set clear boundaries, and I make sure I stick to them. So far, this adjustment has been very helpful.
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