Usually, things happen in amongst so much activity, so many distractions, that I don't learn what I need to learn or realize what I need to realize. But I had a moment of intensity that was also in an atmosphere without distraction - in fact I was entirely alone. This is an uncomfortable blog to write with an uncomfortable admission in it but here goes:
I arrived at work unthinkably early. I couldn't get a wheeltrans ride for the right time so I ended up getting on the van before the clock had struck seven. I arrived well before eight. I was deposited outside the door and I bid the driver farewell. I had my key to the building and I was preparing to let myself in. But when I came to put the key in the lock it simply didn't fit. I took a good look and it was clear that the key didn't match the lock.
Anger instantaneous.
I couldn't believe that they would have changed the lock without alerting me. Here I am the only employee that doesn't have means to easily get around, the only employee that is completely without other options when facing the locked door. I could feel my face screw up in preparation for a tantrum of the highest order. Oh, I went to the fury buffet and got heaping helpings of self righteousness and self pity. I imagined the email I would write, the memo I would send, the words flowed brilliantly. Anger focused my attention and loosed my control.
Then, as I was putting the key back I noticed that there was another key in my wallet. I looked again and found that I had been attempting to put the apartment key into the office door.
Ooops.
Thankfully no one was around to have seen my angry face.
But, there was no one else there to distract me. Nothing to take my focus away. So I noticed something.
I enjoyed that. Getting angry was kind of 'fun' in odd way. 'Fun' is the wrong word but I don't know another word to replace it with. In a weird kind of way I just loved jumping into the role of victim, the poor disabled guy that eveyone forgets about, the self pity was sweeter than pie! Oh my.
So this is how people become addicted to anger.
So this is how people become hooked on fury.
It feels good.
It's entertaining.
It's weirdly - fun.
It makes the focus only me.
It makes me the center of my own attention.
Oh, my, oh, my, oh, my.
So for the next two days I've been watching. Something happens and I leap to anger and then, stop, recognize what I'm doing and choose differently. It's been a really nice couple of days. I haven't been so tired. I haven't needed naps. Sure there's been less drama.
But who needs drama.
It's such a strange moment when we get so angry then realize that there's nothing wrong at all, and hopefully laugh at ourselves.
ReplyDeleteICLW
tremendous post. A hard admission, and even harder to work on and apply. But what are we here for in this world, if not to work on ourselves?
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteSome years ago, while working with someone who seems to wear her anger all the time, like a favorite garment, I started getting into the same habit.
It felt good, on some levels. But it didn't feel good on others. Then it occurred to me that anger feels very empowering, and that's why it felt so good.
That realization made it easy to give up the habit. There are better, less corrosive, ways to be empowered.
Wow, that took a lot of humility to write. I can relate, I'm sorry to say. I too, can be a hot head, but I have mellowed with a little help from my friends and God. My brother said that I need
ReplyDeleteto, "Assume the Zen position." :)
It took a lot to actually "see" that my righteous indignation was hurtful to others and actually a form of violence. I didn't like that...at all.
thanks Dave.I needed that.
ReplyDeletethis Quote helps me check my anger in times when it is needed.
ReplyDelete"Anybody can become Angry, that is easy; But to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody's power - that is not easy
- Aristotle
These are the little "aha" moments that we can use to remind ourselves what a reaction/behaviour is all about.....and we can be thankful that we didn't go down the road we could have.
ReplyDelete