4th July,2023
We all know what anger is, and we’ve all felt it: whether as a fleeting annoyance or as full-fledged rage.
Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems—problems at work, in our personal relationships, and in the overall quality of our life.
All of us feel angry at times. For some, the anger becomes so overpowering that they loose all sense of balance and commit an error or a crime for which they have to relent for their entire lifetime.
Society has given us numerous examples where an act committed in a moment of anger has led to disastrous consequences.
Texts are full of ways to control anger, some advocate a count till ten, some advocate meditation, some say just move away from the situation, some say think of your loved ones or remember a pleasant experience during your moment of anger & let it pass.
But easier said then done. At times, a situation or an individual through their act of omission or commission can bring out the worst in you & make you angry beyond words.
Simple relaxation tools, such as deep breathing and relaxing imagery, can help calm down angry feelings.
There are books and courses that can teach you relaxation techniques, and once you learn the techniques, you can call upon them in any situation.
For me, what works is always to read a good story, an inspirational message.
I have saved & stored various short stories on my Laptop & on my smart phone for times like this.
I remember a story to share at a moment of anger.
“One Day, Buddha was walking through a village. A very angry & rude young man came up & began insulting him,” you have no right teaching others,” he shouted, “you are as stupid as everyone else, you are nothing but a fake.”
Buddha was not upset by these insults. Instead he asked the young man, “tell me if you buy a gift for someone, and that person does not take it, whom does the gift belong to?”
The man was surprised to be asked such a strange question and answered, “It would belong to me because I bought the gift.”
Buddha smiled & said, “That is correct & it is exactly the same with your anger. If you become angry with me & I do not get insulted, then the anger falls back on you. You are the only one who becomes unhappy, not me. All you have done is hurt yourselves.
If you want to stop hurting yourselves, you must get rid of your anger & become loving instead. When you hate others, you yourselves become unhappy, but when you love others, everyone is happy.”
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.
He who angers you conquers you. Learn to overcome your anger & stay blessed forever.