HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT - "How Do I Let Go Of My Anger?"

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “How do I let go of my anger?”

What is anger? What constitutes “a problem” with it? Is it possible to let it go (and let it fly or float away forever)? Or, do we have anger with us for the rest of our lives no matter what we do? Anger is derived from pain. When we experience searing pain our lives, how are we supposed to respond? Do we simply become numb (yet no longer angry) or do we remain emotional, reactionary and animated by our anger?

We discuss the “pain Olympics” wherein we always lose out on trying to make people acknowledge that our individual anger and underlying pain is “worse” (or better depending on how you look at it) than that of others. The person who loses a pet, who loses a loved family member, who experiences a tragedy, who is a victim of a war or genocide; they all have an argument that their pain is “worth more” than what other people have experienced. Yet, this is one of the most negative actions to undertake in terms of poor outcomes.

No cares about me. How can the world continue on while I suffer like this? These may be accurate sentiments. The world will continue on no matter how much pain (and resulting anger) we experience. I would ask you to think about your legacy. What will you be remembered for? Will it be your anger? How does that impact you? It is not easy to find a healthy way to move forward with anger, yet it might be possible. What do we have to lose in finding out?

“No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there

He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger wouldn't let me feel for a stranger

They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless,

but all along I was lookin for a father he was gone” - Tupac Shakur