I AM standing in
my Aikido class, the
instructor (also my
husband) grabs my
arm expecting me to
execute a technique
and escape his grip.
Anger BURSTS inside
my chest! Being a
seasoned feelings
witness or I notice
that I wish to throw
myself down and curl
up, screaming! I
want to give up,
blame the instructor
and express loathing
and contempt. I
can only put my
reaction down to
early programming,
possibly something
like- 'DO THIS RIGHT
OR ELSE.' The early
expectation to
achieve and please
programming (done
inadvertently by our
parents, teachers,
religion) seems to
lie at the root of a
spectrum of human
disorder. We are
so naive and eager
to please when the
programming takes
place, we are
certain it is
possible to meet
these expectations.
We believe
everything our BIG
GODS say (there may
be a connection to
our personal
perception of a
creator and our
relationship with
our parents.....but
that's another
story) so we assume
it is possible to
fulfill the
unrealistic
expectations of
others. We feel a
sense of betrayal by
our SELVES and by
our parents when it
becomes clear that
the task is
impossible.
Following the
betrayal is deep
hurt and sadness.
When our sadness is
left to fester
unexpressed and
unacknowledged it
becomes resentment
and finally bursts
out in anger.
Anger is
debilitating. Some
say it is motivating
but I question anger
as motivation. The
sense of justice
that may be there
anyway might
motivate but anger
is a very fiery
beast and where
there is fire there
is smoke and smoke
clouds vision.
Anger is a painful
expression of energy
that serves to
unbalance the
individual,
disallowing clarity
necessary for
solution orientated
thinking. If the
body responds in
anger then it is an
indication that
there is an
investment or
attachment at play.
Likely, the
attachment is to an
unresolved incident
from your past
rather than an
attachment to the
actual situation
before you now.
People use anger to
justify their own
bad behavior and
attempt to gain
dominance in the
moment. Mostly we
are expressing anger
at things and
situations of which
we are completely
guilty ourselves.
We bark at dogs to
'SHUT UP!' and then
wonder why they bark
back! We
feel that if we are
able to question
another's opinion
with our anger or
threat (anger) then
we are justifying
our position.
I know
that on a day when I
am nourished,
hydrated, have had
sleep and feel good,
my kids can throw
most anything at me
and I will not be
phased. Have me
wake up on the wrong
side of the bed,
however, forget to
nourish and hydrate
myself I can soon
find myself
spiraling into
emotional neglect.
Anger will take this
opportunity to leach
into my
interactions, making
the easy situations
of yesterday seem
provocative and
insurmountable
today. Anger is
unresolved childhood
attachments
attempting to break
free and causing
havoc in the
process. Anger needs
the guidance of an
unconditionally
loving parent (you
now). The anger
you see everywhere
about you, creating
terrorism, from the
miniscule to the
major, is the same
fire and emotion
that YOU feel when
you have forgotten
to be centered in
the now, when you
are breathing
shallowly instead of
nourishing your body
with oxygen and
calm, connecting
completely to your
inner power. To
TRULY live NOW and
reach your potential
as parents,
educators, lovers,
workers and friends
you MUST address
your anger.
Acknowledge the
feelings as they
arise and neutralize
the emotional
triggers by
breathing and
forgiving. The
willingness to feel
the sadness
underneath the angry
reaction is
paramount, loving
the self, caring for
the self, forgiving
the self and others
for your past.
WOW, what an amazing
reaction to have to
NOTHING. I choose to
do martial arts, in
fact I LOVE it. And
once I push past my
initial reactions
and do a few
techniques I am
happy as a Larry
again! (this happens
a lot BTW, but I'm
working on it!!)
We bully children
into submission- do
this or else...and
we wonder why our
playgrounds are full
of bullying.Anger Management Programs, A Good Way to Get Help
Anger is a
protective instinct
associated with
times of hard
living, hand to
mouth, and ensuring
survival in
physically
challenging
conditions. Once
upon a time warning
sounds or actions
that have since got
out of hand and
become a measure of
our sanity.
Detach from
yesterday, find your
space in the now,
become aware and let
your anger dissolve
in the AWESOMENESS
that is your life.
Arna
Baartz
Anger Classes and
programs and
articles can help
with your anger
problems.
4, 8, 12 OR 24 HOURS OF COURT ORDERED ANGER MANAGEMENT CREDIT.