NEVER LOSE YOUR TEMPER

WEEK OF 1/27/25

 

Conversational phrases often pull from the martial arts’ vernacular.  Things like “roll with the punches,” “take it on the chin,” and “don’t lose your temper.”  

As it pertains to the last phrase, tempering is a process used by bladesmiths to add some durability to the blade, so that it is not so brittle as to shatter under impact.

The forging process involves hammering, heating, and molding the steel in ways that create stresses and other potential problems.  The process of tempering relieves the steel of some of those issues, and allows the blade to reach a more relaxed state where it can both keep a sharp edge and not completely fracture upon impact.

When training ourselves, we are much like a sword: we must hammer ourselves into shape, go through extreme heat and pressure, and grind ourselves down to a very fine edge.

All of this training can create significant stresses on the body and mind; the same process that makes us harder can also make us more brittle.

It is essential to maintain our temper – to hold our edge, and not shatter when exposed to the slightest stress.

So the next time the stress of training, or the pain of growth, starts getting to you: take a deep breath, step back from yourself for a moment, and regain your temper.  It’s what keeps you sharpest.