LIFE'S ANGER

The intoxication of anger, like that of the grape,
shows us to others, but hides us from ourselves.

These words, written by John Dryden, crystallize the true impact of anger upon the individual.

Most Psychologists view anger as a primary, natural, and mature emotion experienced by all humans at times, and as something that is an integral part of the “flight or fight” survival mechanism. In the right context, anger can be used to mobilize psychological resources for corrective action.

However, Uncontrolled Anger is a strong word describing a serious human emotion to which we are all subject to varying degrees. It is a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance, associated with distrust and displeasure. It is usually caused by the loss of control of a particular person over himself and his attempt to regain it. It negatively affects personal or social well-being and seriously compromises quality of life.

Except in situations of “righteous indignation”, society universally frowns on anger and people who use it indiscriminately. So too do all the religions. Christianity considers it a Cardinal Sin and in Hinduism, anger is equated with sorrow as a form of “Unrequited Desire”. The Quran attributes anger as an Enemy of the Prophet and the Torah records “he that is hasty of temper Exalteth Folly”. Buddhism rejects anger, including it as one of the “Five Hindrances”. In all of them anger is reserved solely for the Gods.

I cannot think of anyone, including myself, who is not guilty of responding to threatened situations with inappropriate anger over and over again only to find that rather than solve the conflict, we inevitably aggravate the situation. Anger is never productive, because we inevitably lose a lot more than we ever gain. My own personal experience confirms this. So many times I responded in anger to situations which at the time I felt justified, only to realize that subsequently no resolution occurred and worse, the situation was further compromised.

As I have grown older I have gradually acquired the maturity to learn that in conflict situations patience is a far greater asset than anger, and that much more resolution is achieved by resisting the impulse to explode, than any other action. I am often guided by the advice of a good friend and relative; “don’t get angry, get even”. Whenever I can, I take every opportunity to pass this advice to all.

In the end you can do no better than to be guided by the words of the Bible contained in Romans 12:19:
“Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God”

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He who angers you conquers you.

…….Elizabeth Kenny

Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools.
…….Albert Einstein

Anger blows out the lamp of the mind.
…….Robert G. Ingersoll

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else;
you are the one who gets burned.

………Buddha

Consider how much more you often suffer from your anger and grief,
than from those very things for which you are angry and grieved.

………Marcus Antonius

Anger is one letter short of danger.
………Author Unknown

For every minute you remain angry,
you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.
……..Ralph Waldo Emerson

How much more grievous are the consequences of anger
than the causes of it.
………. Marcus Aurelius

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

………Confucius

Anger is a wind which blows out the lamp of the mind.
……… Robert Ingersol

An angry man is again angry with himself when he returns to reason
……..Publilius Syrius

An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.
Anger and intolerance are the twin enemies of correct understanding.

......Mahatma Gandhi

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