Blog #79 – HAVING A GOOD TEMPERAMENT
People enjoy being around others that have a good temperament. Knowing this, I have tried my best at exhibiting characteristics of a person that enjoys life. In general, I do things that I enjoy doing. I also try my best in everything that I do. My ability to put myself in someone else’s shoes also contributes to me having a great relationship with those around me.
My favorite hobbies are attending sporting events and watching romantic comedies. These are things that make me happy. I stay away from movies that depict violence or have a tendency of being stressful. Lately, my wife and I have been attending comedy shows. I truly believe that laughter extends your life. Since I have 5 grandchildren, I am now excited about spending time with them. Each morning I start my day by drinking coffee and talking to my wife. Starting my day in this manner sets the tone for what I expect will be a wonderful day. Doing things that I enjoy makes me happy.
Since my retirement, I tutor online 7 days a week. I spend time preparing for each lesson. After each lesson, I spend time writing assignments for my students to study. During a large portion of the day, I am studying tests (Number Sense, Calculator Applications and Mathematics). I do this because I am trying to find more efficient ways of teaching mathematics concepts. I am also trying to find shortcuts for solving problems. Like everything that I do, I try to do the best job possible. What I learn becomes the content of instructional mathematics workbooks that I write.
When conversing with peers, family, friends or anyone else that I come in contact with, I am constantly trying to look at things through their eyes. I am interested on what they have to say. When an opinion is given that is contrary to what I think, I listen to it with respect. It is during these times that I put myself in their shoes, and analyze what they say. There have been many times that what they say has changed my opinion about a variety of topics.
I truly feel blessed that I am doing things that I enjoy and surrounded by people that I love. Thus, I have a tendency of being happy most of the time. Those around me would probably say that I have a good temperament. I know that you can’t enjoy everything you do. I also know that you can’t always be with people you love. Yet, both are things you can dedicate your life to having.