I think you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who is not presented with some situation during the day that has the potential to bring them to the state of anger. Further, I think just about everyone has had some days where the simplest thing can trigger a bout with anger; and, conversely, other days, where there is nothing that could transpire that would elicit the anger emotion. Isn’t it amazing that the same person can react so differently from day to day? Further, who amongst us really believes that the “angry me” is any way, shape or form better than the “happy” me?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating all of us transforming to Odie from Garfield. For those of you that don’t remember he’s that stupid dog with his tongue out that is absolutely oblivious — but he is happy! Happy and oblivious is not healthy. Happy and aware is tremendously healthy. The reality is anger is normally triggered not be external stimuli, but by our response to those stimuli. And folks, we control our responses. Mind you, it’s not always easy to control our responses; but, ultimately, the choice on how we respond and feel is ours. The challenge is having the self-discipline to recognize that certain triggers are causing us to go in to “auto-angry” mode, realize that this is not the best course of action, consciously decide on an alternative, and pursue this new path.
If I’m right with my initial hypothesis about anger triggers arising each day, you’ll have the opportunity to practice taking these three steps (recognize, choose, adapt) every day. It’s up to you if you decide that it’s worthwhile to let anger control you or for you to control your anger.
It’s the rare person that doesn’t have a bout with anger sometime during the day.
With that in mind:
What’s stopping you from recognizing anger’s onset, choosing a different course, and following that path?
As always, thanks for the time.
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