Thursday, February 28, 2013

Manage Your Anger by Letting Go


Everyone has it, from the time they're forced out of their cozy, warm home of the womb into a fierce, unfriendly world. I'm referring to anger, a very natural emotion, built into us by the Creator for special purposes.  

How we manage our anger is a key to our emotional health and freedom from frustration. Please don’t ask me how I know this.   


In Every Woman’s Guide to ManagingAnger (Revell, 2009), authors Gregory Lanz, PhD and Ann McMurray suggest letting go of unrealistic expectations as a way to manage anger. Their insights helped me so much, I wanted to share a portion of the Letting Go list with you.  
TO LET GO. .  . 

©      Isn’t to cut myself off; it’s the realization that I can’t control another. 

©      Is to admit powerlessness, which mean the outcome is not in my hands. 

©      Is not to fix, but to be supportive. 

©      Is not to be in the middle arranging all of the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own destinies. 
 
©      Isn’t to nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcoming and correct them. 

©      Isn’t to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes, and cherish myself in it.  

©      Is to fear less and love more.  

Are there people, situations, and outcomes you need to let go of, to manage your anger in a healthier way?  

What other methods have you found helpful in managing your anger?

 
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11 comments:

  1. RebeccaFebruary 28, 2013 at 6:44 AM

    :) Still working on this! All of these points would have been good to know as I felt myself trying to "herd cats" the other day! Grrrrrrrrrr.

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    Replies
    1. Jeanette LevellieFebruary 28, 2013 at 10:44 AM

      Ah, yes, the cat-herding days. I have them, too, Rebecca! Thanks for sharing,
      Jen

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  2. Barb SnyderFebruary 28, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    Thank you for sharing this, Jeanette.

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  3. quietspiritFebruary 28, 2013 at 2:03 PM

    I have to remember that I am not perfect. Along the same line, I have to ask myself what would it look like if the table was reversed. A self-help organization has as its model the slogan, LET GO AND LET GOD.

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  4. DeniseFebruary 28, 2013 at 7:12 PM

    I think we all struggle with this.

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  5. momto8February 28, 2013 at 8:50 PM

    I was just reading a book of saints and it seems many of them gave up all expectations....

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  6. ShellyMarch 1, 2013 at 2:25 PM

    I don't know if it's anger so much as it is sometimes stress and frustration with me, but I love to workout, and that really helps me get rid of the toxic stuff.

    This is a great post-

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    Replies
    1. Jeanette LevellieMarch 2, 2013 at 3:02 PM

      Shelly: Exercising helps me keep my head on straight, too! Thanks for the reminder!

      Delete
  7. Karen LangeMarch 2, 2013 at 5:23 PM

    Thank you, Jen! Had a situation arise today with someone that generated several emotions. Anger was at the top. Working through it and this is a help. :-)

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  8. Susan J. ReinhardtMarch 2, 2013 at 9:18 PM

    Love the new look, Jen!

    Usually, if I'm angry, it's triggered by fear or frustration. I try to identify the cause, but it must happen quickly. A recent meltdown had me asking forgiveness of both the person and the Lord.

    ReplyDelete

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