27 Jun The Upside of Anger
Anger gets a bad rap. Sure, it’s no fun to feel that burning well up inside of our chest, often causing our heart to pound and our face to turn red. But anger has a positive side, too.
Anger empowers us. Let it help you see the light. When we’re feeling angry, it’s often because we know the opposite should be true. We get angry because we know things should be different than what they currently are. Ironically, in this way, anger is very much tied to hope, the hope that we can instigate change to make things better. Anger can help boil things down to basics and help us see the possibility of what can and/or should be.
Anger is a powerful motivator. It’s energy. Use it! It’s why it can often feel like a fire burning deep inside us. Lean into it in a positive, productive way in order to change a situation. Change is rarely easy. But anger can often help propel us forward, providing the push we need to get started.
Anger protects us. Listen to it. It rises up and lets us know when there’s been an injustice or we’re in danger, in danger of our boundaries being crossed, in danger of not being adequately respected or valued, in danger of our personal resources (of time, energy, finances, etc.) being taken advantage of. Feeling angry? Don’t lash out and act out. Instead, try to uncover the specific reason why. Then, let that prompt you to take practical—and protective—action.
The next time you begin to feel the fire of anger start to burn inside of you, don’t be too quick to extinguish it. Anger has a purpose. Don’t be scared of it. Instead, control it and use it.
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