Community > General Discussion

Topic: Anger as a "shield" or "weapon!"
Jeanniebean Joined Wed 01/30/08 Posts: 40028	Tue 07/31/12 01:57 PM
Anger is an emotion that is more positive than depression and hopelessness. It is the emotion that one will pass through in rising to better emotions. A person who is deeply depressed and feeling hopeless can rise out of that depression with anger and from there move up the latter to more self empowering emotions. If you want to get rid of anger, make sure you move upwards on the ladder of emotion rather than downwards to depression, hopelessness and despair. Thanks to you (and everyone) for your great responses. I'm "new" here and probably a little shy...I agree with what you wrote about how anger can help people climb out of depression. What emotions are right "above" anger on the ladder? (Just curious.)...Why do you think some people "stop" and "stick" with anger? Do you think they fear being vulnerable again and getting hurt? (As they were hurt in the past.)...Someone latched on to me on another forum and wanted to be friends. Little by little I realized that my new friend was very angry. (And even vindictive at times.)..She seemed upset with me (a lot) at the end because I didn't want to be angry and "mad at the world" all the time...In her mind she was the "smart one" and she viewed me as pretty stupid and naive etc..Maybe she wanted to "protect me" by trying to get me to "wise-up!" After awhile things got pretty negative and the relationship just didn't feel "healthy" anymore...Anyway I'm just trying to put things in perspective now. What do I need to learn from this experience? Sorrry this is so long! What emotions are right "above" anger on the ladder? That is a good question. Here is the list from best to worst: Here are the range of emotion from top to bottom: 1. Joy/Empowerment/Freedom/Love/Appreciation 2. Passion 3. Enthusiasm/Eagerness/Happiness 4. Positive Expectation / Belief 5. Optimism 6. Hopefulness 7. Contentment 8. Boredom 9. Pessimism 10. Frustration/Irritation/Impatience 11. "Overwhelment" 12. Disappointment 13. Doubt 14. Worry 15. Blame 16. Discouragement 17. Anger 18. Revenge 19. Hatred/Rage 20. Jealousy 21 Insecurity/Guilt/Unworthiness 22. Fear/Grief/Depression/Powerlessness/Hopelessness

BettyB Joined Tue 01/29/08 Posts: 31912	Tue 07/31/12 01:58 PM
I don't believe it's healthy to "stuff" any emotions. If I find myself feeling angry at someone (or a situation) I let my "raw anger" come out in private "sessions." Same goes for sadness and crying etc...Once I let all of my "raw emotions" come out I feel better. And I can think better! I just want to claify I wasn't talking about living with anger, I meant just release it and let it go in a non violent way. You can feel angry for a short time, then work through it .

GreenEyes48 Joined Thu 08/26/10 Posts: 1319	Tue 07/31/12 02:30 PM
I don't believe it's healthy to "stuff" any emotions. If I find myself feeling angry at someone (or a situation) I let my "raw anger" come out in private "sessions." Same goes for sadness and crying etc...Once I let all of my "raw emotions" come out I feel better. And I can think better! I just want to claify I wasn't talking about living with anger, I meant just release it and let it go in a non violent way. You can feel angry for a short time, then work through it . I agree! I try to understand my anger the best I can...Sometimes it takes awhile to figure things out. Have to peel off quite a few "layers" at times to get to the "root cause" of my anger. How about you?

GreenEyes48 Joined Thu 08/26/10 Posts: 1319	Tue 07/31/12 03:01 PM
jeanniebean..Thanks for posting the "emotions chart." So I guess "boredom" is the turning point into the lower rung of emotions. That's interesting!...Some people seem to shift into "blame" when they feel bored. Have you ever noticed this?...I remember my kids complaining about being bored once in awhile when they were small. The message seemed to be: "Somebody else is suppose to entertain me and tell me what to do! I'm bored and it's somebody else's fault!"...I even have a couple of cats who can act this way at times. (Not good!)...When people get into the "bored and helpless" mindset they expect things to "be handed to them" versus relying on their own "power" and initiative and self-direction in life. Don't you think? Anyway thanks again for the list. It helps!

Jeanniebean Joined Wed 01/30/08 Posts: 40028	Tue 07/31/12 03:07 PM
Yeh its not good to be bored. It seems to be downhill from there. I think people sometimes create drama and problems to over come boredom.

GreenEyes48 Joined Thu 08/26/10 Posts: 1319	Tue 07/31/12 03:49 PM
Yeh its not good to be bored. It seems to be downhill from there. I think people sometimes create drama and problems to over come boredom. I agree with you about "creating drama" or even "picking fights!" Not good!...I think some people have fears about "rocking the boat" and making changes in their lives. They might get an urge to go back to school and change careers. Or an urge to move someplace new and exciting etc...But they refuse to take these "urges" (or their dreams) seriously...They lie and tell themselves they are "fine" with their current life. And this is when boredom may set-in because they are not being "true" to themselves...And this might lead to jealousy and envy and resentment towards people who do feel "free" to follow their dreams. What do you think?

BettyB Joined Tue 01/29/08 Posts: 31912	Tue 07/31/12 03:50 PM
I don't believe it's healthy to "stuff" any emotions. If I find myself feeling angry at someone (or a situation) I let my "raw anger" come out in private "sessions." Same goes for sadness and crying etc...Once I let all of my "raw emotions" come out I feel better. And I can think better! I just want to claify I wasn't talking about living with anger, I meant just release it and let it go in a non violent way. You can feel angry for a short time, then work through it . I agree! I try to understand my anger the best I can...Sometimes it takes awhile to figure things out. Have to peel off quite a few "layers" at times to get to the "root cause" of my anger. How about you? Well usually in my case the anger is acute, its reacting to a certain situation.for instance when my car was stolen I felt really angry. When I heard of a puppy locked in a boiling hot car I was angry.That kind of thing.But I don't have chronic anger which is self consumming and destructive. I get over anger quickly as a rule. I say my peace then its done so to speak.

Ladywind7 Joined Sun 04/08/12 Posts: 7833	Tue 07/31/12 04:11 PM
A positive side of anger is that it charges us with adrenalin and moves us to action. Example ~ seeing an old person being heckled. We get angry and take positive action to help. Anger can serve us well at times.

ShugahBee Joined Mon 07/23/12 Posts: 241	Tue 07/31/12 04:15 PM
I think anger is destructive!Mostly to the one who holds on to it. We all get angery,but what we chose to do with the anger,is all up to you. I agree and we cant change others only how we react to them.

ShugahBee Joined Mon 07/23/12 Posts: 241	Tue 07/31/12 04:17 PM
Anger is an emotion that is more positive than depression and hopelessness. It is the emotion that one will pass through in rising to better emotions. A person who is deeply depressed and feeling hopeless can rise out of that depression with anger and from there move up the latter to more self empowering emotions. If you want to get rid of anger, make sure you move upwards on the ladder of emotion rather than downwards to depression, hopelessness and despair. Thanks to you (and everyone) for your great responses. I'm "new" here and probably a little shy...I agree with what you wrote about how anger can help people climb out of depression. What emotions are right "above" anger on the ladder? (Just curious.)...Why do you think some people "stop" and "stick" with anger? Do you think they fear being vulnerable again and getting hurt? (As they were hurt in the past.)...Someone latched on to me on another forum and wanted to be friends. Little by little I realized that my new friend was very angry. (And even vindictive at times.)..She seemed upset with me (a lot) at the end because I didn't want to be angry and "mad at the world" all the time...In her mind she was the "smart one" and she viewed me as pretty stupid and naive etc..Maybe she wanted to "protect me" by trying to get me to "wise-up!" After awhile things got pretty negative and the relationship just didn't feel "healthy" anymore...Anyway I'm just trying to put things in perspective now. What do I need to learn from this experience? Sorrry this is so long! What emotions are right "above" anger on the ladder? That is a good question. Here is the list from best to worst: Here are the range of emotion from top to bottom: 1. Joy/Empowerment/Freedom/Love/Appreciation 2. Passion 3. Enthusiasm/Eagerness/Happiness 4. Positive Expectation / Belief 5. Optimism 6. Hopefulness 7. Contentment 8. Boredom 9. Pessimism 10. Frustration/Irritation/Impatience 11. "Overwhelment" 12. Disappointment 13. Doubt 14. Worry 15. Blame 16. Discouragement 17. Anger 18. Revenge 19. Hatred/Rage 20. Jealousy 21 Insecurity/Guilt/Unworthiness 22. Fear/Grief/Depression/Powerlessness/Hopelessness I would like to copy this if may inteesting

Dodo_David Joined Fri 08/13/10 Posts: 48948	Tue 07/31/12 04:22 PM
Yeh its not good to be bored. It seems to be downhill from there. I think people sometimes create drama and problems to over come boredom. And promote conspiracy theories

Kahurangi Joined Thu 04/26/12 Posts: 1970	Tue 07/31/12 04:47 PM Edited by Kahurangi on Tue 07/31/12 04:50 PM
Hope this is the right place to put this topic!...I'd like to start a discussion about the vibration of anger and the "warrior mentality." (And how it affects our soul and spirit!)...I get the feeling that some people hold-on to their anger because it makes them feel "powerful" and even "invincible" or "super human" or ??? Don't you think? Anger and its sidekick buddy frustration is all part of being human. There is little growth without it. Having the 'warrior mentality' of controlling and re-directing it into something less destructive other than those you care about is a learned skill though, and that only comes when one is able to recognise the anger before it becomes misplaced. Not an easy thing to do when the frustration and anger takes a hold of you by the scruff of the neck. I have learnt to channel the anger into a physical release such as sport, gym, or finding a job around the house that requires working up a sweat and thus releasing those feel good endorphins. Admittedly, I slip now and again...but I have never professed to being superhuman :-)

Ghostrider2u Joined Thu 05/17/07 Posts: 6953	Tue 07/31/12 05:05 PM
Anger...if used properly, can be channeled into Determination. And it can be a powerful motivator. But in most cases, we as human beings channel it into bitterness and revenge. Sad but true..... Thus is why I lean towards Laughter. When something or someone gets my Ire up.....I find the funny in the situation and I let it go. I Laugh it off...... Unforgiveness and bitterness are the worst cancer we can have.... and I refuse to give place to them in my Life. So............

PacificStar48 Joined Tue 10/02/07 Posts: 13764	Tue 07/31/12 05:10 PM
As much as everyone says they don't like anger I think too many times it is acceptable to be angry than feel many of the other emotions that anger becomes a mask for.

msharmony Joined Mon 08/31/09 Posts: 61041	Tue 07/31/12 05:26 PM
Hope this is the right place to put this topic!...I'd like to start a discussion about the vibration of anger and the "warrior mentality." (And how it affects our soul and spirit!)...I get the feeling that some people hold-on to their anger because it makes them feel "powerful" and even "invincible" or "super human" or ??? Don't you think? I think some people hold onto it to avoid self accountability, some to hold power over others, and some because they just have no coping 'skills'

TBRich Joined Fri 11/07/08 Posts: 8232	Tue 07/31/12 05:30 PM
This thread is making me angry

Scotti71 Joined Fri 07/13/12 Posts: 173	Tue 07/31/12 06:49 PM Edited by Scotti71 on Tue 07/31/12 06:52 PM
Its good to vent your anger like a blow-off valve.If you keep it inside and let it build up-its gonna blow baby,probably over something really trivial that would not normally get to you,but this time it does.Its good to get angry over certain things because it shows you have an opinion and have feelings-the thing though is WHAT you get angry over.You could be angry over what happened in Colorado for example-you could also be angry that someone cut you off while driving.Its different for everybody as well as there being different levels of anger as well:

Jeanniebean Joined Wed 01/30/08 Posts: 40028	Tue 07/31/12 07:52 PM Edited by Jeanniebean on Tue 07/31/12 07:59 PM
Yeh its not good to be bored. It seems to be downhill from there. I think people sometimes create drama and problems to over come boredom. I agree with you about "creating drama" or even "picking fights!" Not good!...I think some people have fears about "rocking the boat" and making changes in their lives. They might get an urge to go back to school and change careers. Or an urge to move someplace new and exciting etc...But they refuse to take these "urges" (or their dreams) seriously...They lie and tell themselves they are "fine" with their current life. And this is when boredom may set-in because they are not being "true" to themselves...And this might lead to jealousy and envy and resentment towards people who do feel "free" to follow their dreams. What do you think? You are correct. If you do not follow your heart (your dreams) and do what you really want to do, you will descend the ladder all the way to depression and hopelessness and you will have your very soul sucked out of you in the end. You cannot pretend that you are "fine" and still be happy. When you are not following your purpose, (your heart) nothing will be easy. Nothing you try will be successful. If you do not like where you are, or what you are doing, you will not succeed in getting anything you want and you will not be happy. You must follow your purpose. (You know you are following your purpose when what you are doing gives you joy.} FOLLOW JOY.

Jeanniebean Joined Wed 01/30/08 Posts: 40028	Tue 07/31/12 07:56 PM Edited by Jeanniebean on Tue 07/31/12 07:57 PM
Yeh its not good to be bored. It seems to be downhill from there. I think people sometimes create drama and problems to over come boredom. And promote conspiracy theories My interest in conspiracy theories came about in my search for the truth. This reality we are in is a complete and utter illusion and we are drowning in lies. The result of that is bondage to the corporate criminal cabal who lie and steal, rape and pillage, and murder. This evil element must be and will be and are being exposed.

Scotti71 Joined Fri 07/13/12 Posts: 173	Tue 07/31/12 09:29 PM Edited by Scotti71 on Tue 07/31/12 09:36 PM
Yeh its not good to be bored. It seems to be downhill from there. I think people sometimes create drama and problems to over come boredom. Yep,idle hands and all that