Anger is felt quickly and let go of slowly. It can be provoked by a feeling, an unkind word, or an action. Instantly your heart starts pounding and blood rushes to your face. Your hands will start to shake or clench into fists. Perhaps your mouth utters an unkind word in return or maybe tears will fill your eyes and fall down your cheeks. As human nature will have it, we react to this emotion in our own ways. Some more damaging than others.
Anger is a natural yet terrible feeling. It captures our happiness and steals our joy, even if just for a moment. Your feelings are hurt and your self-esteem takes a blow. Anger begins to imprint itself into our brains and takes over our thoughts: “Why did they do that?” “How can she say that?” “What did I do?”. We ask ourselves these questions as we try to process what is going on.
It is easy to dwell upon anger. In fact, the more we dwell, the angrier we become. In an instant, you are overcome with this emotion as you constantly remind yourself of what has happened and why it is happening to you. You just can’t seem to let it go. You begin to resent the person or the people who have provoked this feeling within you. Bitterness soon takes over your soul and you see yourself transform into someone that not even yourself recognizes. Do you react in a way that is also unkind? Do you start spitting out words in the heat of the moment?
Memories of this anger soon make a home in your mind. Even if you do learn to forgive, you can never forget. It begins to act as a shadow, following you wherever you may go.
As human beings, sometimes we fail to realize that words hurt. Unkind words change people. Maybe it changes the way they view themselves or how they will view others. Actions will speak louder than these words, and perhaps have a more damaging effect.
Why do we let anger conquer us? The truth is: anger hurts. It hurts others and it hurts ourselves. Anger plants the seeds for other emotions: sadness, fear, regret, remorse. If we cannot learn to let go of what has ahold of us, how can we ever allow ourselves to find joy? Find love amidst the anger. Do not let anger define you.
"You don't drown by falling into water. You drown by staying there."
Do not allow yourself to drown in your anger. It is okay to be angry, but we need to realize when it is time to let go. Forgive those who hurt you, whether it was intentional or unintentional. When we forgive, we release ourselves from what has ahold of us. You have control of how you feel, and only you can say when enough is enough. Letting go is the most freeing and liberating feeling. When we forgive, we learn to find love instead of hatred.
Learn to grow from the anger and better yourself as a person. Learn to do to others as you would want others to do to you. Learn to let go of the past and live in the present. Learn to smile instead of frown and be positive instead of negative. Outlook is everything. When we change our perspective on whatever situation we may find ourselves in because of anger, we learn to move forward.
We learn to choose joy.
