Stories that don't fit. Endings that do!
Stories that don't fit. Endings that do!
by Frank Schiffman
Have you seen or heard it?
I lost my temper. One minute it was a trigger away. Now, it rarely rears its ugly head. Things I once flipped out over are mildly irritating: When I can’t find a parking space, I just keep looking. If I’m stuck in traffic, I think to myself, why should I get aggravated, I can’t change the situation. If someone forgets to call, email, or text me back, I don’t stand on ceremony, I’ll call them or send another message.
What happened? Is it part of the maturation process? Declining testosterone? Limited personal interactions brought on by working at home? All of the above? Perhaps its good old fashion genetics. Maybe it’s nature’s way of helping us become more rational to avoid a self-induced heart attack or stroke, while the rest of our body moves into cruise control.
I have to admit that sometimes I kind of miss not getting hotheaded. Overwhelming feelings of disappointment or apprehension occasionally ignited a positive adrenalin rush that pushed me forward to do some amazing things. Likewise, a negative rush had me doing things I quickly regretted along with some lasting repercussions. That’s not to say that I don’t get angry or upset anymore. It’s just that my reactions are more “measured.”
Like pharmaceutical ads that warn us about possible side effects, the loss of temper can lead to other conditions. For example, you may begin to arrive early for engagements instead of rushing at the last minute to keep them, and then blaming everyone around you instead of taking responsibility. You could develop the urge to park in a public garage verses driving around looking for a golden spot, only to have the driver in front of you get it, and then cursing them out to yourself. Or, you may experience the need to hire someone to help fix up your house next time, rather than doing it yourself and getting aggravated over the fact that your arms and shoulders are aching for weeks after completion. If you recognize any of these symptoms, don’t be alarmed, a greater degree of common sense has settled in.
If I were to place a “Lost” ad on Facebook, here’s how it would read:
LOST: My Temper
Erratic appearance
Sometimes loud
Occasionally threating
If found, approach with caution and, above all, do not feed!