Along with the daily eruptions in the media that distract and create fear, so many of us have more on our plates right now. Some of the issues my clients are dealing with may resonate with you.
Homeschooling kids, nursing a terminally ill parent, personal health problems, an adopted newborn baby, chaos at work, relationship hiccups, company acquisition, reorgs, leadership issues. The hurricanes and fires wreaking havoc. It’s an intense time and emotions are running at an all-time high.
Anger is everywhere. People lashing out on social media, rage against our economy, racial injustice and recent killings, the emotionally charged political climate. An ever-growing list of conflict and dissonance. If anger is welling up inside, you are not alone!
Anger is a thermometer that tells us when our boundaries have been crossed. It indicates where we stand and what we believe in. Anger is a powerful and empowering emotion because we get to decide how we respond to it.
Before you send a text or create a post describing your outrage, or share how pissed off you are or yell at someone you love, think about your why:
Am I sharing because I don’t know how to process my jumbled emotions? Or, am I sharing to create connection and inspire positive action?
There is a big difference between acknowledging our anger and sharing it with others. Anger and rage are contagious. Just like Covid, we all have a responsibility to stop the spread.
Next time you feel anger bubbling up, slow down, take a few deep breaths and feel what you’re feeling. Your feelings matter and are completely justified. Once you’ve cooled your jets, communicate with clarity, connection, courage, and compassion.
It’s the only proven way people listen, engage, and respond. It’s the only way to get the outcomes you want.