Be Cool or Be the Angry Fool.

Here’s a simple AND IMPORTANT LESSON

… from a wise (not me) and seasoned parent and Sunday School teacher.

And I’ll say it for you in several different ways.

You pick the expression you WANT TO USE, and use it TODAY.

The first choice is MY CHOICE for today.

Because it just rolls off my tongue the easiest.

Be cool or act the fool.

Be patient. When you’re NOT COOL, you LOOK like a FOOL.

Be Cool or Be the Angry Fool.

• Be patient, or look the fool.
• Be cool or act the fool.
• Fools have short fuses.
• Fools EXPLODE all too quickly.
• But the wise QUIETLY shrug off insults.
• A fool vents freely, but the WISE MAN keeps himself under control.
• A fools shows ALL HIS ANGER, but the wise “stills” his feelings.
• A fool lets it all hang out, but a sage QUIETLY mulls it over.
• The RASH language of a fool CUTS and MAIMS.
• But the words of the WISE HEAL.
• Be patient.
• Be CALMLY diligent.

References: Proverbs 12:16 – 18 

Proverbs 29:11 (from various versions)

My Personal Story

I have lived a life time of “losing my cool” due to my anger and lack of patience.

I can recall many embarrassing moments and regrets about my angry behavior. Angry moments as a coach and parent (and grandparent) and spouse.

Remember, your words can “cut and maim.” You do NOT get a second chance to “un-say” those hateful words or to “re-do” those regretful moments.

You can NOT “un-ring the bell.”

These angry moments are PERMANENT in the minds of the TARGETS OF YOU ANGER and impatience. Usually, the ones you love the most.

Questions for You | and Me ?

• When is the last time you LOST YOUR COOL and looked like the fool ?
• Do you know the TRIGGERS for losing your cool ?
• Have you ever seen someone else lose their cool ?
• How BAD did they look ?
• How do you look when you lose your cool ?
• How do others see you when you lose your cool ?

When you LOSE YOUR COOL …

• How do your CHILDREN see you ?
• How does your SPOUSE see you ?
• How do your CO-WORKERS see you ?

Do you WANT TO CHANGE ?

Ya gotta ask yourself, “Do I wanna change ?”

After your ACTIONS and WORDS have “MAIMED” someone, apologies do NOT HEAL the wounds.

Apologies are weak. 

CHANGE in YOUR ACTIONS is the only solution.

And the only CHANGES THAT MATTER are the changes you make.

TODAY.

CHANGES YOU MAKE TODAY. The only changes that matter.