Stop Being So Angry

I'm not convinced there is a true use for anger, except for perhaps the use of righteous anger against an injustice. But I have come across people whose righteous anger is always turned on. There doesn't seem to be an end to their anger, and I have to wonder...

...do they like being angry all the time?
...do they gain any true, lasting benefit from being angry all the time?

I'm of a belief that this persistent anger cannot do a person well, either physically, mentally, or spiritually. It erodes the spirit so much, and gives back so little.

With the time you have devoted to hearing about and mulling over things that make you angry, you could be hearing about and mulling over things that make you happy. Just think of all the wasted energy and time!

I've seen people get casual with anger, making it a part of their daily routines - keeping it as a badge of honor, thinking that it means they stand for something.Yes - they stand for anger! Casual anger is a lot like casual racism, casual sexism - the practitioners deem the feeling and sentiments as "in jokes" or "in beliefs" - so long as you're within the fold. But all this does is serve the tribal feudalism that seems to be growing in this world. 

So much of the world is filled with truths, half-truths, and falsehoods. You might be getting angry over lies being told to you, but they agree so much with your worldview you might not stop to question them.

Seneca the Younger writes:

"The cause of anger is the belief that we are injured; this belief, therefore, should not be lightly entertained. We ought not to fly into a rage even when the injury appears to be open and distinct: for some false things bear the semblance of truth. We should always allow some time to elapse, for time discloses the truth."

Before your face reddens, your fists tighten, and apoplexy takes over, stop to consider Seneca's words.

I don't question your right to believe what you want to believe. No one wants to come into your house and take away your right to bear thoughts. But if you are truly angry about something:

1) Make sure what you are mad about is actually true. Get three or four independent sources to confirm or deny. Don't be duped just because the maddening idea is an easy thing to believe.

2) Be intellectually honest with yourself. Question if someone else can gain from your anger.

3) Do something constructive with the anger, just don't grumble about it to like-minded people. Also, you will stand for something, not just talk about standing for something.

Peace.