anger-management

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another opportunity

To put it mildly, it has been a rough afternoon.

I don’t want to rehash things.  In fact, I wish I could forget some of what was said.  It has left me feeling horribly pessimistic, just this side of despair.  I hoped, thought, wished, (insert optimistic-sounding word here) that things were getting better, that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.  I had hope.

Not feeling it at the moment.

Words from the Dalai Lama:

As long as we live in this world we are bound to encounter problems. If, at such times, we lose hope and become discouraged, we diminish our ability to face difficulties. If, on the other hand, we remember that it is not just ourselves but every one who has to undergo suffering, this more realistic perspective will increase our determination and capacity to overcome troubles. Indeed, with this attitude, each new obstacle can be seen as yet another valuable opportunity to improve our mind!

I’m sure he understands this better than I.  He likewise has much to teach about anger, attachment, compassion, forgiveness.  I’m not going to copy and paste more tonight.  I’m going to go and reflect on some his teachings, and have a big-ass glass of wine, and go to bed early.

Tomorrow is another opportunity to do better.

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silly old yeller

I was going along, minding my own business, and I read a post over at Interstellar Adventures that certainly made me stop and think.

No, I’m not like the guy in her post, but I do have a, shall we say, quick temper. This wasn’t always the case, but it is nowadays.

I get short tempered with the kids. I yell at cars that act like Idiots (or Maniacs, see Carlin, George). Sometimes I yell at the TV. I’m very quick to say “no” to a request, and also can be quick to judge a situation. And I wonder why my kids yell at each other?

One night (day?) recently, I heard my wife and kids around the kitchen table. I think they were working on homework, but they were also talking about something fun they wanted to do. I don’t remember exact details, but the gist of the conversation was that somebody had to go ask Dad about something, and they didn’t want to do it.

My. kids. Didn’t want to talk to me. They were afraid of what I might say. Or do.

Clearly, something’s gotta give. I can’t be perfect, but I can do better. I gotta have more patience, I gotta stop and think before I open my mouth. I gotta support my family more, instead of insisting on rigid compliance with how I expect things to go. Wish me luck.

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As part of my new desire to get a grip on my anger, I’ll be posting thoughts, links, and articles; mostly to remind myself, but perhaps some of you may find it good reading, too

Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog’s face he gets mad at you?
But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window.
Steve Bluestone

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I so badly want to be able to do it. To not be angry.

Do not maintain anger or hatred. As soon as anger and hatred arise, practice the meditation on compassion in order to deeply understand the persons who have caused anger and hatred. Learn to look at other beings with the eyes of compassion.

Thich Nhat Hahn

But then comes a day like yesterday (which is continuing this morning) and crap, anger seems too mild to describe how I’m feeling.

And no, this is nothing in the online world, this is in the real world, where my child has done something incredibly stupid but also scary and we are now back in the mode of reacting and doubting our parenting. I’ll know more today about the whole Permanent Record part, but for now I’m just so mad I can’t see straight.

(my apologies to anyone coming by today and hoping for a joke or a comic or whatever. Maybe later)

Oh, yeah, and according to this prophetic blog, today does indeed suck.

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