Creative Ways to Transform Challenges:
Dealing With Feelings

Anger Considerations Ken McIsaac

"If anger is not restrained it is frequently more hurtful to us than the injury that provokes it." - Seneca (03-65)

One of the causes of anxiety and self-doubt may be feelings of hostility towards others. If a person is angry, perhaps it is good to let this anger be expressed, and to not hold it inside. But to not have the anger at all, goes a long way towards feeling better. Anger may seem justified, but is it worth it? Many very wise people don't think it is.

"Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame." - Ben Franklin (1706-1790)

So if you are angry consider how you are feeling. If possible, is a discussion with the target of your anger worthwhile? Try to see another point of view no matter how stupid it might seem. Finally, turn the anger switch right off and feel a whole lot better.

"An angry person is always full of poison." - Confucius (BC)

Hatred is a prolonged anger towards a fellow human. It probably doesn't cause the other person any harm, but it has a way of making us feel sick and depressed. Hatred is not helpful in any way.

"Hatred is self-punishment." - Hosea Ballou (1771-1852)

There are various forms of hatred, motivated in different ways, and often without cause.

"Prejudice is the child of ignorance." - Hazlitt (1778-1830)
"Jealousy - magnifier of trifles." - Johann Schiller (1759-1805)
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves." - Abe Lincoln (1809-1865)

Gossip - an attack on the character of a person, performed dishonestly and without courage, and motivated by hatred.

"Let no one be willing to speak ill of the absent." - Sextus Propertius (BC)

© 1999-2003 Ken McIsaac.  This article is an excerpt from "32 KEYS: A Collection of Ideas About Life".  The online book summarizes summarizes basic popular self-help ideas and quotations. It is free to read online at    http://www.32keys.com