Turning Anger into Wisdom

Recently, my sister's confessed killer was granted a retrial for his sentence on death row. At first, it was a complete shock... Unbelievable, inconceivable. After eighteen years of suffering, the saga was granted to continue? No way! Anger set in. 

Processing the fact that while I had every right to be angry, I began wondering about all the great spiritual lessons and blessings overcoming this experience further could teach me and those around me. See, if we are here to grow spiritually, couldn't this be seen as a blessing? Bizarre concept, of course, but beyond the ego lies wisdom and trust in the unexplained. 

Anger is always an uncomfortable emotion... When you're a genuinely positive person, feeling fiery is not an easy feeling. When anger surfaces, we have to be rational. Recognizing these three truths about anger can change our perception and way of life forever. 

1) Know that anger is natural. In some ways, anger is healthy, it shows you care. While many of us would like to wish away this unsettling emotion, it is there to guide us on what is ideal and acceptable in our lives. 

2) Understand there is power in anger. When we understand that anger is a natural part of our lives, there to help us grow and prosper towards living the ideal experience, we are able to realize it's purpose and power. We can't do anything about what we don't acknowledge. If knowing is half the battle, then understanding and adapting is the other.

3) Transform anger into good. Anger may not feel good, but it has the ability to alter lives in a positive light. If something unfortunate happens, do what you can to recognize and overcome it. If possible, do what you can to avoid it happening in the future. Simple concept, it's true, but very effective.

No one is perfect, and we all have a lot to learn. While we think we have so much control over the elements in our lives, the truth is, many circumstances are completely out of our realm of understanding and control. The more flexible we are in understanding that anger is a natural emotion meant to be overcome, the more we will be able to transform that pesky emotion into what it was intended for, good.

Amy O'Pry Massey
www.opryconsulting.com