I don’t want to do anger anymore.
I understand that there are going to be times when I get irritated about something or maybe even lose my temper. Life happens, right? But I don’t want to stay angry. I don’t want to be an angry person.
I also don’t want to hang around angry people because, well, I can too easily get caught up in their emotion. Their frustration. Their resentment. Their impatience. Their hatred … because yes, sometimes anger becomes something uglier.
And, as Emerson says, anger steals my peace of mind. Anger is a hot emotion that disrupts my thoughts about others, about a situation, about my choices.
Anger, quite honestly, is often a waste of time.
I’m not foolish enough to think that I’m going to be at peace with everyone in my life. I’m living with that reality every day. But a difficult relationship doesn’t automatically mean that I’m angry with someone else. I can acknowledge difficulties and work through my emotions to a place of peace, even forgiveness, within in my heart.
Sixty seconds of anger or sixty seconds of peace? Give me peace, please — and really, the choice is mine.
In Your Words: What choice or action helps you find peace of mind when you’re tempted to get angry?
In Others' Words: A Peace of My Mind http://bit.ly/2K4gINX #anger #perspective Share on X 'For every minute you remain #angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.' #quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson http://bit.ly/2K4gINX Share on X
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Comments 5
I’ve been trained in the art of dispassionate violence; it’s a Zen thing. The angry warrior fights himself as well as the enemy.
Author
Andrew: This is a great perspective: when we’re angry, we’re battling two opponents. Love the imagery.
Anger cost me $500 once and a lot of embarrassment. But it taught me that anger was costly and wasn’t worth it. 🙂
Author
Then I guess you would say it was worth the price, yes, Pat? Your comment makes me want to tally up what anger has cost me …
That Emerson quote is rock solid. Yes, anger torques and drains the body in literal physical ways as well as our minds. So–not–worth–it!