Anger in Our Lives

Arguably, there are times when anger serves a quite useful purpose in our lives.  For example, we may eventually reach our limit of verbal abuse or unjust criticism heaped upon us and finally decide to stand up for ourselves. 

Or anger can be the motivator to jolt us out of complacency and force us into action.

Refer back to the above quotation attributed to Buddha.  Notice that it isn't the anger itself that causes us to be burned, but rather the holding on to it.  Anger without release is like an accident waiting to happen.

Our anger "pressure cookers" need to periodically let off some steam in order to prevent an almost certain violent explosion.

We've all been around perpetually angry people.  Some folks' days just aren't complete unless they have something to be angry about.  Recall what it's like to be around these people.  It's unpleasant, tedious, and draining, right?  We may have said to ourselves, "What a waste of energy!  If they're so upset, why don't they do something about it?"  But how often do we follow our own advice?

Realistically, it's impossible to avoid all sources of anger. 

If something makes us angry, we can:

In a way, anger is like frustration on steroids.  It can take on a life of its own, building in magnitude until we may even forget what made us angry in the first place.  It is possible, however, to channel these feelings of anger into a positive response, thereby helping us to maintain our sanity, enhance our self-respect, and possibly even right a wrong or injustice in the process. 

Exactly who or what are we angry at?  Perhaps ourselves?  Regardless, anger can serve a positive role in our lives if we choose use it that way.  Otherwise, if we let it build unchecked we will eventually suffer the consequences.

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