Anger is quite a bit different than Sadness or Fear in that it feels like a very powerful emotion. Powerful in the sense that it is aggressive, it makes us acutely aware and tends to make us feel emboldened and very much in charge. Anger motivates the ‘fight’ aspect of the ‘fight or flight’ response and therefore tends to make us feel bigger and stronger than we really are. Like an iguana or a pit bull, we puff up when threatened and take on an aggressive posture. Survival is our basic instinct and we are in it big-time. We’re not looking to run and hide, we’re looking to kill something.
Anger also releases a myriad of powerful hormones and bio-chemicals that not only arouse us and heighten our awareness, but also wreak havoc on our bodies if allowed to continue for any length of time.
Beside these destructive physical effects, the emotional and psychic toll can be far more devastating.
Wrath, rage, vengefulness, hatred and jealousy are just a few destructive signs of Anger. Alone, any one of these is capable of destroying any hope for a decent, happy life. Together, they assure it. Combined with the more subtle feelings of guilt, insecurity and pessimism, Anger might possibly be the most destructive emotion he humans have.
Frustration, impatience, irritation and stress are built into the Anger response. That’s because anger is meant to be a temporary, even momentary response to danger. It was never meant to be a prolonged experience.
When held onto for even the shortest period of time, Anger becomes not only irrational but it sends us spiraling into feelings of unworthiness and depression.
So, how do you feel right now? Are you a little tense? Are you fists or teeth clenched? How’s your heart beating?