Mar
Tempering
Iron, steel and bronze are not right when they are first poured. These metals need extra care to make then hard enough and flexible enough. For instance, a good sword over 18 inches long needs to flex, lest it shatter. In other uses, a metal must be harder to withstand impact. Both hardness and flexibility come through a process known as tempering. The temper of a metal item is its hardness and flex.
Various scales measure the hardness and flexibility of a metal. Temper is applied through controlled heating and cooling of the metal. This process is called drawing out. It removes the stiffness that causes brittleness. The process also adjusts hardness and flexibility. For some applications, a softer metal is needed. Others need a harder one. Each step requires high heat followed by dipping the metal in oil or water. The process is repeated over and over
Life’s circumstances can temper an individual. They can make his personality flexible or hard, soft or brittle. Once aware of it, the individual has some leeway in adjusting this “temper.” Even then, people will retain some of the temper that life gave him. The personality responds to circumstances much like the body. Just as hands will callous from continuous impact, so it can be said of the person himself. Many times, an individual’s temperament is as much the result of his experiences as it is his own choice.
Once aware, we can refine ourselves to a more suitable temper. Likewise., we can give others a little more wiggle room by recognizing that their personality traits may very well be the repercussions of hard circumstances. Knowing that hard times make hard people, it is wise to give the other fellow the benefit of the doubt until we know otherwise.
