May 19th, 2014
Do you find yourself getting angry at the world or some part of it? Maybe your anger is directed against a person or a kind of person or maybe it’s just a equal opportunity anger that can focus on anyone or anything. No matter how we classify our anger, remember one thing. All of our anger is the result of our unmet expectations.
The key word there is “our”, not the situation, not the time, the place or the people involved. We expected things to go a certain way and they didn’t so now we get angry. We expected people to act differently and they didn’t so now we get angry.
Is all anger wrong? Of course not. We should be angry when we encounter injustice or abuse. However our anger should be a signal that we have to change something or adapt to something. It should not be an automatic response to every little thing that irritates us.
Next time anger floods through you mind and body stop for a moment. (Easier said than done but with practice, entirely doable.) Once you pause, ask yourself not “why am I angry” but rather “what do I need to change or adapt to right now”? Maybe go for a walk or count to ten. Maybe get some sleep. Maybe have something to eat. Maybe get away from some toxic people or situations temporarily or permanently.
Anger brings a signal that what is happening and what we want to happen are not in harmony. Say goodbye to anger as soon as the message is delivered but whatever you do, don’t invite anger in and feed it. It is a terrible guest.
(c)2014 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com
Facebook – Sundrops On Life
May 6th, 2013
(You are Blessed!)
Anger makes little things large and makes the insignificant significant. It is a fire that devours everything and everybody in its wake. In its search for more fuel it will search every file in your memory for any person, place or thing that ever upset you at any time and make it feel current. How do you tame the beast?
First of all, getting upset at yourself for getting angry just adds fuel to the fire. Now you get to be mad at yourself along with everyone else. Don’t do that. Secondly, blame is to anger what a strong wind is to a forest fire. Stop blaming. Thirdly, stop thinking of your anger as a runaway train. You do have your hands on the controls at all times. Anger is just convincing you not to use them. Use them.
What I am about to tell you can change your life. When you feel anger rear its ugly but powerful head, clap your hands. Just like a hypnotist bringing someone back from a deep trance, clap your hands once and say to yourself; “My life is not fueled by anger. My life is fueled by love!”. This hits the emergency brake on your anger. BUT in the next critical moment you must understand that getting rid of your anger is going to leave a vacuum and if you don’t fill that vacuum with something, anger will be sucked back in.
The next critical step is to fill that now empty space with gratitude. Immediately start thinking about your blessings to the exclusion of everything else. It will be a struggle for a bit but a struggle that you can definitely win each and every time. Don’t let anger steal your peace of mind, your judgement or your relationships. Give it the clap.
(c)2013 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com