Anger is good!?

[Chickadee]

Today I finally got around to glancing through the Sunday paper and found a health/lifestyle article about dealing with anger. A particular part of it really made me think and I wanted to share it.

Expressed well, anger can be a positive force for personal and social change. "It is an energy that empowers us to stand up for ourselves and to say what we need to say," says de Castella. "If we believe anger is bad, we tend to repress it so it builds up and eventually comes out in an explosive, harmful way."

(Source: Thea O'Connor, Sunday Life, The Sunday Age Magazine. 19Nov06)

When I reread that, I think: well of course, anger by the public has been the driving force for massive social and political changes. And yet it was such a lightbulb moment for me, to realise that my anger in itself is not bad. And that I am not a bad person for being angry. The way I deal with anger is the problem and if I start to address that then I might just resolve some other issues in my life too.

Any thoughts?

[Lastcenturymum]

I thought it was a really good article too, Martha. No, anger in itself isn't bad, it's how we express it and who it affects. I recall the terrified look on my daughter's face when I lost my cool and lost control. Also it shouldn't be used as an excuse 'oh that's just the way I am, I can't help it' we can all change, just got to want to and make the effort.

Mind you, there is nothing like frustrating young cantankerous uncooperative little people to bring out the worst in us all!

Don't forget there are healthy outlets for anger - (kickboxing if you are REALLY angry!!) exercise is SO important as a release, even if it is just a very brisk walk - minus children or going to the gym or for a ride. I have meant to mention this when reading the depression threads. I've done some sessions for a depression support group in the past and have always suggested exercise - serotonin can be your friend. Having someone to meet/exercise with helps you be accountable even on those days you don't feel like it. Sorry to digress

As a very calm friend of mine said years ago, "I didn't know I had a temper till I had kids"

[razzle]

I agree Martha. DP asks "why are you so angry/frustrated/uspet?" I don't think there's anything wrong with anger, or sadness, or frustration, or any negative emotion. It's the way you express those emotions that's the problem.

(I must say though, there is nothing more frustrating than trying to slam our downstairs bathroom door.... no matter how hard the force behind it, it just DOES NOT slam! )

[reAllytee]

(I must say though, there is nothing more frustrating than trying to slam our downstairs bathroom door.... no matter how hard the force behind it, it just DOES NOT slam!

All of the doors in our house are like this you should see how frustrated i get when i want to make an impact & i can't slam not one single door in this house !!!!!!!!




Anger isn't always a bad thing unless treated in the wrong way which is where the problem lies.
Most of us don't deal with anger well at all.

[razzle]

All of the doors in our house are like this you should see how frustrated i get when i want to make an impact & i can't slam not one single door in this house !!!!!!!!

I've never tried any other doors!! I could slam the front door but it has glass panels and I don't want to make THAT much of an impact!