anger in spite of myself

this morning I read a quote that got me thinking about anger. it said ...my anger can be an attempt to change someone or something because I don't want to change. usually what that means for me is I am unwilling to accept things are as they are. acceptance is something I struggle with, especially when it hurts to watch a certain circumstance occurring. however, that brings to mind those reality shows where people hammer their own hands or run into things. what do most people do, even though it hurts to watch? they laugh.

not to say I want to laugh when things painful are happening to those around me, but what is anger doing to serve those situations? absolutely nothing! I can stay in anger because I am unwilling to change - to shift my perspective. I can stay in anger because maybe in my mind, I think that if someone sees me angry, they will change their behavior. I can stay in anger and hope that something will turn out to NOT be as it seems.

or not.

I can choose to allow people the dignity to figure out their own lives, as I long for that in my own. I can choose to keep my thoughts to myself and focus on my own life. I can choose to see life through the lens of gratitude and have peace. I can choose to save my anger for times that really merit anger and let go of the rest.

blessings