Now I am the first person to tell you that I have been as guilty as anyone of this, so I am not judging anyone! But how many of us have been guilty of reacting to something we discovered purely out of emotion, not taking the time to decide the right course of action. I have done this more times than I care to admit, but that doesn't mean I didn't know any better. It is so easy for us to do in our very selfish, sinful nature. Ever wonder how many wars have started this way? What about government scandals? Hmmm, maybe even...marriages? I am writing this so that maybe someone out there can learn from some of the mistakes I have made.
Picture this...some college buddies, living on the same dorm hall, wrestling around and having a good time in horseplay. Bodies get flung around, people fall down and bump their heads, walls get dented...good times, right? Then testosterone builds, egos get bruised, and tempers somewhat flare. Now imagine one of those individuals receive less than cordial jokes about his fiancee at the time. Imagine said individual wanting to lash out in anger and punch someone, or something - anything. And then, he does. Only, instead of lashing out and hitting someone, he punches through the thick glass of a fire extinguisher case. Unfortunately, the wire mesh was not in the glass, so his fist goes all the way through, and then he has the absence of mind to immediately yank his hand right back out, severing veins in vital areas. Now the real problem arises when the individual who lashed out in emotion notices his wrist bleeding profusely, and commences to turn white as a ghost.
Needless to say, that individual was me. Now what did I learn from this? Well, I have tried to keep my temper in check a lot better since then; that's for sure. Am I always successful - no. But I do try to avoid these situations. Why? Well, I think it is safe to say, we make much more sound decisions when we take the time to think things through, or walk away from the immediate situation that is causing us such grief. But emotions can be a funny thing. Keep this in mind when you are at work; at school; at home...at church. When we just go on what we are feeling in the moment, passions can get the best of us, and we can even have the scars to prove it (I still have mine).
So the next time someone says something hurtful to you or about you at work; maybe go somewhere else in the building to cool down, or think of your next action, before you lose your job for fighting. If you are at school, and you see something that makes you fighting mad...go the other way, think about what is right, and let cooler heads prevail. If something controversial is discussed at your next meeting, take time to hash things out with people and stew over decisions made before making an emotional decision. I have found that since I have made a stronger effort in this part of my character, I have been better off for it. Of course, that's just my two cents (in the words of the Food Lion lion).
