Being Temperate in All Things

I have been so in need of Elder Kent D. Watson's talk Being Temperate in All Things .

I know I need to be temperate, but it has always been one of those things I know I am not, but I don't know how to fix it. He gave some great insight by saying that: "Being temperate is to use moderation in all things or to exercise self-control" and "Being temperate means to carefully examine our expectations and desires, to be diligent and patient in seeking righteous goals."

He shared a story of not being harmed in an accident because his windshield when it broke was made of tempered glass.

"Tempered glass, like tempered steel, undergoes a well-controlled heating process which increases strength. Thus, when tempered glass is under stress, it will not easily break into jagged shards that can injure.

Likewise, a temperate soul—one who is humble and full of love—is also a person of increased spiritual strength. With increased spiritual strength, we are able to develop self-mastery and to live with moderation. We learn to control, or temper, our anger, vanity, and pride. With increased spiritual strength, we can protect ourselves from the dangerous excesses and destructive addictions of today’s world."

I know that when I am upset or having a bad day I tend to spread that feeling to those closest to me. I am learning while we are taught to "get it out" and fully express our emotions through societal standards, it is not what is right. While ignoring or hiding emotions or feelings is not right either ... I have the power through God's help to denounce feelings of anger, frustration and pain. I can choose not to feel that way. I can choose not to infect the people around me by, with Heavenly Father's help, eradicating my own infection.

I can choose to be temperate and with God's help become so.