Definitions: (1) able to manage one’s own temperament; (2) having a range of understanding from the big picture to the meticulous details, and being able to keep them in balance; (3) exercising authority over others; in command <able to set things in order>
See also: Self-Controlled
Compatible Quality: self-forgetful
Poetry:
Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice;
Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgment.
— William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Hamlet {1603}
Quote: Rare is the person who can weigh the faults of others without putting his thumb on the scales. — Byron Joseph Langenfeld (1909-1996) American humorist
Reflections:
• You cannot control the facts of the past. But you can control your attitude toward the facts of the past. You can control your attitude and judgment about the present and what you will do in the future. You cannot control what other people do, or how they think, or who they are. You can influence them, but only if they are willing or susceptible to your example or power.
• There is also negative control: fear, torture, sleep deprivation, threats of harm to loved ones, threats of loss of job, or loss of life. If one is to encompass the positive aspects of control one needs to persuade with logic, emotion, spiritual flavor, experience, love, and nurturing, to help others recognize their own values and to move forward at their own pace.
Progress is truer if it is focused on the positive. Negative pressure forces warped growth. Besides, people usually put enough negative pressure upon themselves.
Comment: Let go of the part fear plays in your growing process. As you let go of fear, experiences will get more accessible, more exciting, but they also may seem more out of your control.
Consideration: Politicians can only tackle the hard problems with laws covering the entire populace. Laws, morals, and family rules do have influence in shaping human behavior, but in the end the individual makes their own final choices.
Observation: The person asking the questions is in control of the conversation.
Symbol: the hammer