"Think of how infants react when they get angry.
Typically, they get very upset, scream and cry for awhile,
then quickly return to a state of contentment.
Instead of holding-in their feelings, they fully let them out.
Once all their anger has been expressed,
they feel calm and at peace once again.
Unfortunately, adults have been conditioned
to repress their feelings of anger and upset.
Yet, like steam escaping from a heated pressure cooker,
our anger and resentment leak out.
And because it is only allowed to leak out a little at a time,
it can take a long while before we feel at peace once again.
As adults, we've been taught that it's not appropriate
to "blow-up" or have a temper tantrum."
Yet, carrying anger around for hours or days on end
is not a good solution either.
What we need is a safe way to fully release our
upsets and frustrations without making a fool out of ourselves."
Jonathan Robinson - "Shortcuts to Bliss" - page 56
We all have feelings of anger and upset at some time in our lives. To release these negative feelings, Jonathan Robinson has a few suggestions in his book "Shortcuts to Bliss." Smashing a pillow against the bed, or screaming your anger out in a private room, or in a car while loud music is playing, are a couple of ideas for releasing your raw emotions so "you can avoid bringing toxic feelings into the rest of your life."
Other suggestions I have read to help release anger and upset feelings are: take a shower or bath, go for a walk, call a trusted friend, or journal your feelings. If you have any suggestions of how you can return to peace and calm, please share them in the comment section.
Photo: Simon and Gramma Pati comforting new baby Lucy - 8/5/08
8 comments:
Hi Pati,
Reminds me of a weekend where I spent time at a place called Shalom Mountain and we were there to take mat trips. It was an opportunity to get rid of anger. What a freeing feeling when it was over.
Bonnie
Lucy is so cute!
This is a great post, Pati. I usually use the sing-along-with-loud-music method myself. And sometime I couple that with a brisk walk outside. It doesn't always work, but it almost always does.
Lucy is so cute, Pati!
I really liked this post. My own way to release anger and upset is singing along to loud-as-I-can-take-it music. Sometimes I have to couple that with a brisk walk out doors because the singing just isn't enough.
Thanks for letting us witness your growing family. I know you have another little one on the way in about seven months or so, right?
Yes, our family is growing. We actually have two new babies on the way. Ali's baby due in February and our youngest daughter, Jessica, is having a baby in March. Our family is excited and saying lots of prayers for healthy, happy new babies.
Love this, Pati. And, what a great photo of you with your grandchildren!
Hi Pati,
I find kickboxing is a fantastic way to vent those feelings. Every time I punch the bag I can feel the tension leaving my body!
How amazing for you to have both daughters pregnant at the same time. It's going to be a very exciting year for you next year.
KazT
miss your posts!
Post a Comment