Anger gives us the energy to avoid or overcome danger. However, managed incorrectly, anger can destroy relationships, ruin careers, and linger forever.
Success starts with a clear mind that is free from anger. ~ www.jaywren.com
Why I Wrote This Article About Anger
I am not a professional mental therapist. Nor am I qualified to give advice on dealing with emotions.
The reason I wrote this article is that I want to grow emotionally as well as mentally. I work on building the skills to redirect my anger in ways that are effective and productive.
Although these skills are effective, using them is a conscious daily effort.
All Emotions are Healthy
There are no bad emotions. There are only bad uses of emotions. ~ www.jaywren.com
How I manage my emotions affects how successfully I interact with other people. If I take my anger out on other people, I build a wall of resentments between the people around me and myself.
Furthermore, if I hang on to negative emotions too long, they can become mental states. Recovering from negative mental states can take a tremendous amount of effort. Just recognizing that we are living in a negative state of mind sometimes needs professional attention.
Here are Some of the Things I Do.
I studied Transcendental Meditation™. Daily, I practice the meditation methods that I learned from my TM™ studies.
I also practice mindfulness meditation. Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk and peace activist during the Vietnam War, brought the practice of mindfulness meditation to the United States. Mindfulness is a method of focusing on breathing. I find that just remembering to take a slow breath in and out reduces stress.
Eckhart Tolle is a native German who became a Canadian citizen. In his book The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment , he teaches how to live mentally in the present moment. When I start sliding into negative thoughts, I stop and look around. I realize that the things that are bothering me are in my mind. However, the world is in front of me and around me. Taking a moment to become aware of the present moment is a very powerful way to find peace and increase focus.
Additionally, I move. I go for a walk or go into the yard and do a couple of chores. Exercising helps. I do a few planks, squats, and push-ups. Every hour, I do something to move. Motion brings me back into the present moment.
These things help me to create a space between my anger and my action. Doing these things, I can find peace and achieve success with a clear mind that is free from anger.