Often in life, there seem to be some decisive ‘crossroads’ for all of us. We don’t know what to do, our family, friends and social environment does not understand us, and we don’t understand our self either… Often, before knowing the next step, we simply remain inconsolable. We feel powerless, betrayed, left alone, neither seen or heard, invisible and angry… Anger is often referred to as an unwanted burden for the individual and society. However, I would like to challenge this idea for a moment. What if the anger we carry within was a resource serving us in our most challenging moments in our live?
And.. can we or should we give up that anger without nothing in return?
Professionals from various disciplines- including psychologists- agree that feelings of anger often arise when people experience harm. In his book, Forgiveness and Mercy, Jeffrey Murphy argues that, “a person who does not resent moral injuries done to him or her… is necessarily lacking in self-respect”(Murphy & Hampton, 1998: 16). In fact, underneath the silence, for many of us, our feelings of anger and rage feel legitimate. The problem then arises when we continue to feel embittered and/or resignated about what to do next… Anger becomes our prison. Being aware of this, maybe we all would benefit from practicing greater tolerance, understanding and empathy for those of us still struggling with letting go of their anger. Maybe, this could be a small but important step toward transforming the often raw pain and confusion into opportunities for healing. At least, this is a possibility.
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