Anger sustains you. It makes you defiant and strong. It defends your pride, gives you courage, and enforces your will. It keeps you safe behind it's abrasive shield; it conceals your vulnerabilities and weaknesses from your enemies, and it keeps your self-esteem intact. But hide behind it for too long, and it will grow, feeding off the very weakness it protects. It will disguise itself as justified indignation, and soon it will convince you that there isn't anyone you can trust, gorging itself on your resentment and self pity until it completely conceals not only your vulnerabilities, but your virtues as well.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Guard dog on duty
Anger sustains you. It makes you defiant and strong. It defends your pride, gives you courage, and enforces your will. It keeps you safe behind it's abrasive shield; it conceals your vulnerabilities and weaknesses from your enemies, and it keeps your self-esteem intact. But hide behind it for too long, and it will grow, feeding off the very weakness it protects. It will disguise itself as justified indignation, and soon it will convince you that there isn't anyone you can trust, gorging itself on your resentment and self pity until it completely conceals not only your vulnerabilities, but your virtues as well.
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ReplyDeleteI know therapists will insist that 'anger isn't an emotion' but I would tend to disagree. Whilst it can be incredibly self destructive I think it can also be used to enforce action. I always remember Bob Geldof saying that it was only anger that kept him going when he did the whole Live Aid thing in 1985 (that long ago?!)
ReplyDeleteThink it depends on whether something is worth being angry about. And whether it can be used positively.
Thanks for the link Jude; I actually read it all. :)
ReplyDeleteLane, those therapist are confused. (grin) What a silly idea, anger not an emotion! Anyone with an ounce of passion in their blood will tell you that it comes with the territory. And I agree with you, it's one hell of a catalyst and motivator. The trouble with it though, is that it's a very hard thing to turn off. Turning it on is no problem; that just happens, and the more it happens, the quicker that switch is flipped. Poof, there goes rational thought.
It's a delicate balance. Repress your anger and it's bad for you. Express it too much and it gets out of control. I guess as long as you are still capable of assessing rationally each and every time, that's probably a good sign.
ReplyDeleteIt's very hard to control ones anger when you let it loose.
ReplyDelete