You may have heard of the four temperaments (Choleric, Melancholic, Sanguine, Phlegmatic). They have been used by medieval theologians, studied since 300 B.C and used by spiritual directors right up to the present day to help people understand their innate strengths and weaknesses. It’s extremely helpful to our spiritual growth, relationships, and just over-all well-being to understand our God-given temperament and how to “work with it” to maximize our strengths and know the best strategy for dealing with weaknesses.

Our temperament helps explain how we relate, respond, think, and feel. It is our “raw basic material” and does not come from our experience, traumas, or family background.

A temperament is not a “box”. Knowing one’s temperament doesn’t limit you or define you. The human person is a much deeper mystery than simply a temperament.

We should not use knowledge of temperaments to “pigeon-hole” others with some type of label. That would be the wrong approach. However, understanding people’s temperament can help us to be patient and understanding with them.

Our speaker this night is Jen Whitton. Jen is a recent graduate of ASU and presently is teaching 9th grade chemistry and physics at Coronado High School in Scottsdale. Always learning and seeking to grow, Jen has taken a real interest in learning about the four temperaments and is learning to embrace her own! She will explain what the four temperaments are and then dive into specifically how understanding them can help us navigate relationships.

It’s also Mardi Gras…so we will make sure to go all out on the snacks and beverages!!

See you then!