Knowing your temperament is very helpful to the spiritual life. It also assists you in understanding yourself and understanding and getting along with others.
But what is a temperament?
There are four temperaments – choleric, melancholic, sanguine, and phlegmatic. The idea of four temperaments may have begun with Hippocrates. He believed that people behaved in certain ways because there was an imbalance of bodily fluids. This is where the names of the temperaments come from. Hippocrates believed that if a person had too much yellow bile from the liver he was a choleric. Too much blood from the heart indicated a sanguine, and a melancholic had too much black bile from the kidneys. A phlegmatic had too much phlegm from the lungs. This theory, however, is rather unlikely.
Throughout the ages, though, people made variations on Hippocrates’ idea of all people being divided into four main personalities (even though personality is a different thing from temperament). The four temperaments are indeed a predominately Catholic idea.
Now let’s take a look at each of the four temperaments.
Choleric- Cholerics react very quickly to situations, and the reaction is of a very long duration. They tend to have a very strong will. They usually have a problem with controlling their anger. They are the “my way or the highway” type, and are sure their ideas are the best and woe to anyone who disagrees! They make good leaders because they’re strong-willed and logical, and like to take charge. This wish to always be in charge can lead to dire consequences, however! They are headstrong and impatient, and are not always careful of other peoples’ feelings. They can be overly critical of others, and tend to blame others rather than themselves. They enjoy arguing and are inclined to retaliation. They have a very strong pride, and feel that they would prefer to die rather then humble themselves.
On their good side, however, cholerics are very dedicated and determined. They will dauntlessly go through all sorts of difficulties to attain their goal. They tend to be optimistic. They are good workers and thrive on activity. They are very enthusiastic and independent. They are very frank and direct, which is not always good, as they frequently display a lack of prudence! They set high goals and standards for themselves. They are very decisive. They have a very keen mind and are often very intelligent. The virtues the choleric needs to increase in particular are compassion and humility. They are extroverted (I will explain this later).
Saint with this temperament: St. Paul
Melancholic- Melancholics are very slow to react to a situation, but their reaction grows and becomes very strong and long lasting over time. They tend to be perfectionists, and spend a lot of time carefully considering every little detail of plans. They have a very pessimistic outlook on life and are very sensitive and easily hurt, but tend to keep their feelings to themselves (unlike a choleric). They can be very moody, and like to be alone. They are more of thinkers than doers. They can be very indecisive, and are prone to being self-pitying and are easily discouraged. They make friends slowly and don’t always really want any. They have a tendency to hold grudges, as do cholerics.
Some strengths of the melancholic temperament are that they are attracted to beauty, nobility, and all ideals even more than any other temperament. They long for perfection. They have a natural love of prayer and meditation. They have a very strong will, but they can be so cautious that it seems as if they have no courage. Some things that would be useful for the melancholic person to increase are their self-confidence, optimisim, and nfeeling of self-worth. Melancholics are introverted (this will be explained later).
Saint with this temperament: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
Sanguine- The sanguine is a fun-loving, cheerful person with a very eager, unembarrassed, and carefree manner. They have quick reactions to situations, but the reactions are of short duration. They make friends easily, but seem to prefer to have lots of friends over a few close ones. Friends and relationships are important, and sanguines want to please everyone. They lack follow-through and are very impulsive. They are very attuned to their senses and notice and enjoy clothes and details. However, if they are not careful, they are prone to becoming very materialistic. They may be rash or imprudent, but this is most often not entirely willfully. They can be superficial, and tend to talk without thinking and hurt people, somewhat like cholerics. However, it’s easier for the sanguine to apologize, because they just want to be loved.
Some of the good traits of the sanguine temperament are their generous and forgiving nature. Sanguines are very co-operative and accepting and work well in groups. They are very friendly and outgoing. They enjoy change, new things, and people. They love having friends and being with people, and are often the “life of the party” because they enjoy being the center of attention.They have a strong sense of humor and enjoy teasing people. They are very optimistic and look at everything from the bright side. They are very energetic and self-sacrificing, and will do anything for someone they love. Sanguines should try to be less superficial and acquire more follow-through, and to develop the energetic, caring part of their nature. The sanguine is an extroverted temperament.
Saint with this temperament: St. Peter
Phlegmatic- Phlegmatics are quiet people who react slowly and with a low intensity. They don’t get angry easily, but their feelings are easily hurt. However, they usually don't say anything to retaliate because they would rather do what others want than their own desires. They have a tendency towards being lazy and indifferent to everything. They are very accepting of rules and tradition, even if it doesn’t make sense or is unjust. Even though they often try to avoid things like people and mental or manual exertion, they think relationships are important.
Good things about phlegmatics is that they tend to be very peaceful and hate strife and arguing. They are very patient and can control their feelings very well, and tend to be well liked. They are very calm, low-key, and easy-going. They have a large store of common sense. They have a special gift of being good mediators, as they want to preserve peace almost at any cost. Phlegmatics should try to become less dispassionate and uninterested. They are introverted.
Saint with this temperament: St. Thomas Aquinas
Introverted: This means the person is less sociable, is more comfortable with his thoughts and emotions than material things, reserved, and more distant.
Extraverted: This means the person is very comfortable in a sociable environment, is comfortable with people and events, is livelier, and more enthusiastic.
But how can you discover your temperament? The two books I mention at the end of the article both have very thorough tests you can give yourself. I personally prefer the test in the latter book. Even though you may be pretty sure you can tell what your temperament is from this article, it is a good idea to take the test. You may be surprised!
When taking the test, you need to remember to put down the traits you naturally posses, not the ones you want! This is difficult but doable. Pray to the Holy Ghost to help you.
Every person has a temperament. However, as we are all completely different, we usually have traits from more than just one temperament. One temperament usually predominates, and this is called the primary temperament. Another temperament we may have many traits from, but not as many as the primary. This is the secondary temperament. For example, I am a melancholic-sanguine. This means my primary temperament is melancholic, but I also have many sanguine traits. We usually have a few other traits from different temperaments as well. However, the primary and secondary are the most important to focus on.
But why should you “know thyself”? This is an important thing because you need to know what sins you are most inclined to. I’ll use myself as an example. As I am a melancholic-sanguine one of my worst faults is saying too much too frankly and out of turn. Before I knew my temperament, I was not nearly as aware of this fact. But now that I know my temperament, I also have a better understanding of my weaknesses. I know that I must be on my guard for talking too much, being too proud and argumentative, being materialistic and self-centered, and all the other faults that come with my temperaments.
You also should know your temperament because of the positive things. It will help you know your capabilities. If you think you’re “no good” because you aren’t as good of a leader as one of your friends, you are good in a different way. Perhaps you can restore peace between people, or simply listen to them. The temperaments help us understand that God created us all in a very different and special way for His use. If you know your temperament you have a valuable key that will help you know what is wanted of you on earth. You will understand yourself, and see that God made you in this way for His Own purposes. You will understand why you have inclinations to do certain things. If they are bad, you can weed them out. If they are good, you can cultivate them. But you will see all your faults and good points so much more clearly if you know yourself.
If you understand the temperaments, you can also understand other people much better. We will know what not to say to a sensitive melancholic, that we can’t step all over the peaceful phlegmatic, that the choleric is prone to anger, that the sanguine often says all those hurtful things in jest. If we have an understanding of the way others view the world, we will not be so inclined to do some things that would be hurtful to them. We can also understand more when they hurt us. If they need help in any way we will know better how to give it. We can help each other to Heaven so much better if we truly understand each other.
I think the temperaments are an important and often neglected part of the spiritual life. If you found this article interesting, you may want to read more on the four temperaments. There are many books on it, but I have read two that I can recommend. One is a booklet entitled The Four Temperaments, by Father Conrad Hock. It can be obtained from the Pallotine Fathers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The other is a book called The Temperament God Gave You, by Art and Larraine Bennet. It is also written by Catholics from an entirely Catholic point of view. It can be obtained from the Leaflet Missal Company. Both are very good, informative books.
I hope this article gave you some help in “knowing thyself”. St. Teresa of Avila once said, “Self-knowledge is so important that, even if you were raised right up to the heavens, I should like you never to relax your cultivation of it.” In the preparation for the St. Louis de Montfort consecration to Our Lady, one of the weeks is devoted to knowledge of self. In his book, The Imitation of Christ, Thomas a Kempis reminds us of the importance of this. All through the ages the saints have repeated this – to know God you must know yourself!
True knowledge of self will never lead to pride. Instead, it will lead to humility. We will know our infirmities and, seeing our weakness and imperfections, know that we must fly to God and that only He can give us the necessary strength. If we do not know ourselves we will have a difficult time seeing that we truly need the help of God in our lives. Without Him we are nothing and can do nothing.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Smallest Child
This essay won 1st in Wausau, 2nd at the diocese, and 2nd at state for the 10th grade level in the Knights of Columbus "Respect Life" essay contest.
Haven’t you experienced, at some point in your life, the feeling of joy and gratitude that you’re alive? Perhaps this sensation was awakened by a beautiful song, a wonderful bit of nature, a moment of joy shared with a friend. Wouldn’t it make you sad to consider that some people will never experience life? That, even though it would be completely possible for them to be born, those already born are just too selfish to allow another human to enjoy the wonders of our world if it means any inconvenience to themselves.
The myths surrounding abortion cloud it, making it difficult for so many to realize the truth about it. One of the arguments often used by abortion advocates is that most of the aborted babies are the children of rape, and it would be too difficult for the mother to carry them to term. This is simply not true – only 1% is aborted for this reason. Others would have us believe that most babies are aborted for “necessary” reasons, such as to protect the life of the mother or because they have severe defects. Only 4% of babies are aborted for these reasons, and the arguments are without weight, as it is never the place of a doctor, or anyone else, to prevent a life from being lived. The other 95% of children lost to abortion are killed because the mother does not want any more children, they think they cannot afford a baby, they don’t want a child yet, or their boyfriend, family, or friends pressure them into it.
What gives anyone the right to end the life of another human in such a hideously cruel manner before it has even been born? Most scientists are now recognizing the fact that a fetus (this word comes from the Latin for “little child”) is in truth human. After all, how could it be anything else? Nothing else in our world changes its nature as it grows older. A dog is always a dog; a flower is always a flower. They start out as puppies and seeds and become dogs and flowers, just as all people start out as a fetus, are born and become a baby, and then mature to child, teenager, and adult. Each of the stages of life has a different name, but no one would suggest that a child is any less a human than an adult – we all know that would not make any sense! So it is only logical that a fetus is a human in the very first stage of development; there is nothing about it that suggests otherwise.
To end this essay, here is a quote from the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese: "There is a day coming when we will hear the voice from within the womb, when its own authentic pain will be undeniable, when we will know with certainty that it is saying "I want to live. I have a right to live. I do not need your permission to live." Let us all work and pray that this day may come soon.
Haven’t you experienced, at some point in your life, the feeling of joy and gratitude that you’re alive? Perhaps this sensation was awakened by a beautiful song, a wonderful bit of nature, a moment of joy shared with a friend. Wouldn’t it make you sad to consider that some people will never experience life? That, even though it would be completely possible for them to be born, those already born are just too selfish to allow another human to enjoy the wonders of our world if it means any inconvenience to themselves.
The myths surrounding abortion cloud it, making it difficult for so many to realize the truth about it. One of the arguments often used by abortion advocates is that most of the aborted babies are the children of rape, and it would be too difficult for the mother to carry them to term. This is simply not true – only 1% is aborted for this reason. Others would have us believe that most babies are aborted for “necessary” reasons, such as to protect the life of the mother or because they have severe defects. Only 4% of babies are aborted for these reasons, and the arguments are without weight, as it is never the place of a doctor, or anyone else, to prevent a life from being lived. The other 95% of children lost to abortion are killed because the mother does not want any more children, they think they cannot afford a baby, they don’t want a child yet, or their boyfriend, family, or friends pressure them into it.
What gives anyone the right to end the life of another human in such a hideously cruel manner before it has even been born? Most scientists are now recognizing the fact that a fetus (this word comes from the Latin for “little child”) is in truth human. After all, how could it be anything else? Nothing else in our world changes its nature as it grows older. A dog is always a dog; a flower is always a flower. They start out as puppies and seeds and become dogs and flowers, just as all people start out as a fetus, are born and become a baby, and then mature to child, teenager, and adult. Each of the stages of life has a different name, but no one would suggest that a child is any less a human than an adult – we all know that would not make any sense! So it is only logical that a fetus is a human in the very first stage of development; there is nothing about it that suggests otherwise.
To end this essay, here is a quote from the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese: "There is a day coming when we will hear the voice from within the womb, when its own authentic pain will be undeniable, when we will know with certainty that it is saying "I want to live. I have a right to live. I do not need your permission to live." Let us all work and pray that this day may come soon.
Journey
This is a poem I wrote about 3 years ago.
Life is a journey,
Life is a quest.
Life is striving for
Whatever is best.
Life is a journey,
A journey through night.
A journey to find
That which is bright.
A journey that wearies us,
Wearies the mind,
Wearies the soul
In its relentless grind.
But there are candles
Along the way.
Places that remind us
There is a day.
The day is our dream.
The day is our quest.
The day is where we journey to,
Seeking the best.
The journey is hard.
The journey is long.
But sometimes we hear
Strains of a song.
We think it’s straight from heaven,
And then we realize
It’s right beside us,
Or before our eyes.
From Heaven it comes,
But on earth it dwells.
Within each heart,
A bit of it swells.
The desire to journey,
The desire for a quest.
The desire to strive for
Whatever is best.
Life is a journey,
Life is a quest.
Life is striving for
Whatever is best.
Life is a journey,
A journey through night.
A journey to find
That which is bright.
A journey that wearies us,
Wearies the mind,
Wearies the soul
In its relentless grind.
But there are candles
Along the way.
Places that remind us
There is a day.
The day is our dream.
The day is our quest.
The day is where we journey to,
Seeking the best.
The journey is hard.
The journey is long.
But sometimes we hear
Strains of a song.
We think it’s straight from heaven,
And then we realize
It’s right beside us,
Or before our eyes.
From Heaven it comes,
But on earth it dwells.
Within each heart,
A bit of it swells.
The desire to journey,
The desire for a quest.
The desire to strive for
Whatever is best.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Favorite YouTube Videos - Humor
And some funny ones...
Charlie the Unicorn Goes to Candy Mountain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5im0Ssyyus
Yup...you gotta love Charlie the Unicorn!
Charlie the Unicorn Meets the Banana King
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFCSXr6qnv4
Put a banana in your ear!
Charlie the Unicorn Underwater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaCCkfjPm0o
This might be the best yet! lol... I love the songs in all of them!
Charlie the Unicorn Goes to Candy Mountain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5im0Ssyyus
Yup...you gotta love Charlie the Unicorn!
Charlie the Unicorn Meets the Banana King
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFCSXr6qnv4
Put a banana in your ear!
Charlie the Unicorn Underwater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaCCkfjPm0o
This might be the best yet! lol... I love the songs in all of them!
Favorite YouTube Videos - Music
Some of my favorite music and videos...more to come!
Pie Jesu - Our Lady Immaculate Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yxmzAfrtKw
The choir at my church that I'm in, with a slideshow that I made.
Romeo and Juliet - The Killers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87cLyBR1JTo
I love this song!
Sunshine - Keane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0idn1SpsTGo
Beautiful. And my cockatiel likes to dance to it!
Love Story (Taylor Swift) meets Viva la Vida (Coldplay)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys
Two of my favorite songs, wonderfully blended by a very talented artist!
Love Story - Taylor Swift
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4xmxb9K8RI
One of my favorite music videos...I love the song, the guy is really cute, I love her dress, and it looks like Pride and Prejudice!
Lloyd I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken - Camera Obscura
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Who4OL08iR8
I adore this song and this band, I love the look of the video, and I love the retro-style clothes and dancing!
We're Dancing - P.Y.T
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxkniD20RFk
I love the video they made for this with clips from Center Stage!
Pie Jesu - Our Lady Immaculate Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yxmzAfrtKw
The choir at my church that I'm in, with a slideshow that I made.
Romeo and Juliet - The Killers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87cLyBR1JTo
I love this song!
Sunshine - Keane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0idn1SpsTGo
Beautiful. And my cockatiel likes to dance to it!
Love Story (Taylor Swift) meets Viva la Vida (Coldplay)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys
Two of my favorite songs, wonderfully blended by a very talented artist!
Love Story - Taylor Swift
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4xmxb9K8RI
One of my favorite music videos...I love the song, the guy is really cute, I love her dress, and it looks like Pride and Prejudice!
Lloyd I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken - Camera Obscura
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Who4OL08iR8
I adore this song and this band, I love the look of the video, and I love the retro-style clothes and dancing!
We're Dancing - P.Y.T
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxkniD20RFk
I love the video they made for this with clips from Center Stage!
Favorite YouTube Videos - Ballet
Some of my favorite ballet YouTube videos (I'll probably add more later):
Romeo and Juliet Balcony scene - Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvOFMvwD-CU
They are simply incredible!
Romeo and Juliet Balcony scene from Center Stage - Julie Kent and Ethan Stiefel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hzDPAaDUOc
I love the background in this one. :) And I love Julie Kent, I actually got to see her live!
ABT's Pas de Quatre from Swan Lake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbY_FIyXPFg
One of my absolute favorite dances EVER!
Esmaralda variation - Natalia Osipova at the age of 17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV0jT1Do6NQ
I love this variation, and Natalia is simply AMAZING!
SFB's Snow Scene from the Nutcracker - Yuan Yuan Tan as the Snow Queen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eQ27tdThYY
I absolutely LOVE the Nutcracker, and "Snow" is my absolute favorite dance! I especially love SFB's version of it...the dancing is incredible, the choreography perfect, and the scenery and snow magical!
Swan Lake in 10 Minutes - Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtSsdaiPUR0
A really nice compilation of clips.
Well, that's all for now...I'll add more as I find them.
Romeo and Juliet Balcony scene - Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvOFMvwD-CU
They are simply incredible!
Romeo and Juliet Balcony scene from Center Stage - Julie Kent and Ethan Stiefel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hzDPAaDUOc
I love the background in this one. :) And I love Julie Kent, I actually got to see her live!
ABT's Pas de Quatre from Swan Lake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbY_FIyXPFg
One of my absolute favorite dances EVER!
Esmaralda variation - Natalia Osipova at the age of 17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV0jT1Do6NQ
I love this variation, and Natalia is simply AMAZING!
SFB's Snow Scene from the Nutcracker - Yuan Yuan Tan as the Snow Queen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eQ27tdThYY
I absolutely LOVE the Nutcracker, and "Snow" is my absolute favorite dance! I especially love SFB's version of it...the dancing is incredible, the choreography perfect, and the scenery and snow magical!
Swan Lake in 10 Minutes - Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtSsdaiPUR0
A really nice compilation of clips.
Well, that's all for now...I'll add more as I find them.
Ballet Hair Buns
This is a common problem for people with really thick hair - when they put it in a bun it sticks WAY out and keeps falling out! I know it drives them crazy, so I'm posting directions for making a nice, flat bun that will stay in, no matter how long or thick your hair is. :)
1. Put your hair in a ponytail. I've found that it works well to do this when your hair is a bit wet. If your hair is dry, spraying some hairspray in it just before you make the ponytail really helps keep it under control.
2. Divide your hair into two parts, and twist one of the parts until all the ends are tucked in and it looks like a rope.
3. Wrap it around the hair tie at the base of the ponytail and secure with bobby pins.
3. Take the other section of hair, twist it tightly, and wrap it around the bun that is already there. Secure with bobby pins as well. If it's for a performance, audition, or anything else that you want to be sure your hair is going to STAY PUT, you might want to spray it with hairspray all over at this point. Otherwise, you should be good.
4. Add a hairnet if needed.
An added bonus to doing this with wet hair is that when you take it out, you have a lot of really cute waves!
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