rivercrow

The more anger towards the past you carry in your heart, the less capable you are of loving in the present.
- Barbara De Angelis

Although I’ve read sentiments like this before, this quote really startled me today. Anger and associated emotions have drained away from me the last few weeks, almost like a bloodletting of the soul. In the process, I had to forgive myself repeatedly for being angry, bitter, frustrated. Understandable emotions–very human. They colored my vision with distrust and hopelessness.

Appropriate anger energizes change. I’ve read that frustration is the containment of anger under plastic wrap. Frustration stifles change and growth. Anger can be a catalyst to moving forward, if harnessed properly.

The skill is keeping it from becoming a lingering fixture.

Culturally, we have an odd relationship with anger. We certainly celebrate it in our talk show hosts and wrestlers and the “angry young man” is recognized as a popular archetype. The “angry young woman” probably has an axe to grind, though, and the emotion contorts her face. It’s a strange world.

I’m grateful for learning to respect and honor my anger, however slowly my appreciation comes. Anger recognized as a survival response–whether that survival is physical or psychological–is a good thing. It’s not the emotion itself that’s dangerous; rather, it’s the unfettered display or long-term feeding that should carry the warning label.

Walk gently.

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