Reflections: Let That Anger Go…
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.” Mahatma Gandhi
Reflections: Let That Anger Go…
Let That Anger Go by eof
Let That Anger Go
Before it finds a home here
In a wintry heart…Let that Anger Go
Before the tides return to shore
Debris on my face…
My dear blog friend Amira at Mindblur wrote a powerful piece that got me thinking about all the things that used to piss me off and make me so angry. I thank Amira for the reminder and courage to share; speaking the truth has power and is never easy. Plus, it empowers us all. My haiku is about the emotions we feel when we are angry and their impact on our mind and body. Letting go of anger is a better option. How do you deal with anger in your life? How long does it take you to move on?
“Let us not look not back in anger, or forward with fear, but around in awareness.” James Thurber
Reflections: Let That Anger Go…
Let that Anger Go
Hate leaves marks on the hater
Raging birds retreat…Let that Anger Go
Ancient wounds have not used me
The soul has moved on…
Over the years, I raged about injustice, inequities, all the isms, prejudice, betrayals, deceptions and denials. I raged about the sanctimonious, the self serving, and despots who lead their countries to ruin. With time, I came to the realization that I had to let that stuff go. I had to come to terms with the fact that countering hate with hate is self defeating; only evil can come of it . When we wish to live in a just world, we must make equanimity paramount in our lives. It is not an easy commitment, but it is worth fighting for. Humor helps too…
“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Reflections: Let That Anger Go…
Let that Anger Go
For fear it leaves ugly marks
Etched on our faces…Let that Anger Go
The minaret bears witness
Secret crimes exposed…
Sure, there are things that annoy me still, but I see them for what they are – temporary distractions – then move on. If there are things that need to be addressed, address them. If there are things that linger, surrender them to a higher power and trust that eventually they will dissipate. There is no doubt in my mind that there is much in the world to make many of us mad on a daily basis, but we can counter it by choosing to invoke and see the good in humanity. More below
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” Mahatma Gandhi
Reflections: Let That Anger Go…
Let that Anger Go
The wicked man is exposed
Vultures linger near…Let that Anger Go
Happiness will not grow there
Healing dove, peace, peace…
I still believe there is more good on this planet than evil; the good sustains the planet even as those who embrace darkness battle the light bearers. No preaching here, this is just the way of the world we all inhabit. Enough said… Let that anger go! Have a spectacular day! You are already a blessing to others. 
What are your thoughts? Do you hold anger in? Are there situations that still upset you? Which aspect of the haiku speaks to you? What emotion would you like me to try/add to the haiku? Do share! Thank you. 😉
*Please bear with me as I catch up on your blogs and commenting… I’m back on track with reading and responding to your blogs; albeit at a slow pace. Thank you all for your patience! 🙂
Positive Motivation Tip: Anger consumes anyone that holds onto it… let go.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos: Anger, Raiva, via Wikipedia, Anger by ZorinDenu, Anger by anyone123, via Flickr or my personal photos.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Related articles
- Inspiration on Anger (earthwitchconfessional.wordpress.com)
- Anger – Cause and Effect? (arganesh3.wordpress.com)
- #AngerIsPeace (The Aim) (etimexkluse.wordpress.com)
- Reflections: Letting Go Of Anger & Following Our Bliss… (eof737.wordpress.com)
- Reflections: From Anger to Awareness… (eof737.wordpress.com)
- How to Control Anger? (arganesh3.wordpress.com)
- Anger Is a Wasted Emotion (thefabulouswoman.wordpress.com)
- Choice of Wolf (philosophybank.org)
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I really needed this – thank you!
Oh TY and so did I! Read Amira’s when you can. It is searingly powerful… 🙂
A great reminder. Anger is a waste of precious time. Thank you! 🙂
so agree! ~mkg
TY! What happened to your gravatar? 🙂
It sure is and it kills those who hold onto it for too long.
I often confuse frustration with anger. I think a lot of the time it is better to acknowledge frustration than let it grow to anger. Thanks for the thoughtful words!
TY for your feedback… Frustration ofetn leads to anger if left unresolved… so both are to be handled with care. 😉
You’re so right, and i love your haiku poetry. Anger is so destructive, and can eat away at one’s very soul. It’s totally unproductive and pointless too. I can’t even remember the last time I was angry. Sometimes I may feel irritated or disappointed, but never angry. 🙂
Good for you as you’re ahead of the curve. I stay conscious of the things that annoy me so I can process them and move on…It is important for my well being to move forward…. Anger can be a helpful instigator for self-change is channeled properly….
Anger is a thief. Too robs one of time and energy. Great post. Thanks.
Exactly! Well said. TY! 🙂
I love all your haikus but my favorite is “Let that Anger Go
Happiness will not grow there
Healing dove, peace, peace…” I absolutely agree. Great post Eliz!
TY dear one! Appreciate the feedback. 😉
Foregiveness is the better part of understanding
True… and may we all remember it. TY! 🙂
Hard in a country where it feels like you are banging your head against a stone wall when you want the smallest things done, but yes, have learnt with experience that anger doesn’t serve any purpose. Thanks to my Yoga practice I am now able to face any obstacle with equanimity 🙂 Thank you for another inspirational post Eliz and those beautiful Haiku’s!
TY Madhu and I so get what you describe… People in countries with tons more bureaucracy than we have in the US are angels to me… It is so hard, but many find a way like you have. 🙂
Eliz…your poem is a wonderful expression of your beautiful heart. 🙂
I agree…one minute spent in anger is 60 seconds of happiness wasted.
It is sometimes very difficult to make the choice not to be angry and bitter…but it is a choice…I choose happiness and forgiveness. 🙂
I choose same and when I get mad, I remind myself… TY! 🙂
You are welcome…I always know when I come to your blog that I will find peace and love and inspiring thoughts!
Such a great reminder!
TY! I concur. 😉
I think the Emerson quote is particuarly true for me! We’ve had a few situations lately where it would be so easy to give in to anger and sit and nurse the resentment. But my husband and I have said over and over that if we spend any time with those feelings it will take away from the joy we have in so many other facets of our lives. I saw Madhu’s comment about yoga…it hs really helped me, too! I can’t have a decent practice if I’m holding onto any tension, and anger is certainly a huge obstacle to releasing tension! Still I have to practice letting go of anger on a regular basis. Thank you, Elizabeth. Your topics are so great, and I’m enjoy haiku! Debra
TY Debra! I appreciate the feedback and all forms of exercise, including yoga, help me… I triggered an old back wound last Saturday, and being out of commission without my usual boot camp routine made me realize how appreciative I must remember to be of what I do have… Our health and our strength are paramount above every petty peeve… Let it go, I say to myself… TY! 🙂
wonderful post dear 😀
I feel cheered and feel light hearted already 🙂
The line I take with me from your post is:
“Hate leaves marks on the hater”
I don’t want to have any marks like that 🙂
I guess they are not worth worrying my head over 🙂
peace peace peace
TY for the inspiration that led to this post… I was moved by the honesty of your piece ad it brought this up… WE all learn from each other in this blogging world and that is why I do appreciate it. TY! 🙂
countering hate with hate is self defeating
I love seeing this put so bluntly, and clearly! Indeed.
This post is well timed for me, as I actually walked out of my once-favorite coffee shop this morning because–despite being first in line when I arrived–I’d waited fifteen minutes without getting my order. (This is the second such incident in two weeks, although the last wasn’t quite as egregious.) It wasn’t worth wasting more time over, and yet, when I got into my car, I was still seething.
As my drive to work progressed, I got to thinking, “You know, if that’s the worst thing in my life right now, I am pretty darn blessed.” And that was it. Truly. 🙂
Truly… I hear you and thank you for this perspective. We all forget and you’re not alone on that one. 🙂
I still believe there is more good on this planet than evil; the good sustains the planet even as those who embrace darkness battle the light bearers.
This says it all Elizabeth! Thank you.
b
Thank you dear heart and you are one of those light bearers. 🙂
I like what you say here. I tend to hold anger in until I explode which is I know very toxic to me and everyone around. I’m working on it and I mostly have it licked but sometimes…
And it is at those times I try to appreciate the wonderfulness there is in this big crazy world of ours. Thanks for being part of that wonderfulness.
Great post. 🙂
Thank you for being part of my wonderfulness too. I love that! 🙂
Anger can be healthy if it leads to action but if you choose to just sit on it and let it fester, its no bueno.
I used to hold on to anger and liked to argue much more than I do now. Many circumstances in my life helped me to realize that peace was so much more important to me than being right. I am still not as patient, understanding and kind as I would like, but I’ve become calmer and felt more freedom in my life in the last several years. Great post!
Anger is so exhausting. I try never to waste too much time on it.
iIsee lots of comments, youmust have touched a nerve. “Let that anger go.”
Simple but powerful words. Your right easier said then done. Family anger the kind that runs deep. Lately I do my best to see that alot of my anger is hurt and I have hurt for years from this rightous anger. It isn’t really rightous because I am the one who is pained and that’s not right. When thoughts come up that I usually run with I just say “STOP” not I will say STOP “Let that anger go.” Thank You for a thoughtful post.
As always you are a great part of my day. :+)
Excellent post.
I especially like the Emerson quote! Great set of haiku again. Very talented.
Lovely poem Eliz! Hope we can read a lot more of your own poems soon 🙂
TY! How are you Lian? I miss your posts and blog! 🙂
I’m doing great. Just a lot of things going on in here and not enough time in a day to do it all, you know how it is. I will start a photo challenge soon though! Hope you are doing well Eliz!
Elizabeth this is timely—with all the political clatter going on lately, it is easy to get all worked up or drawn into pointless anger. But we can only have our peace of mind or peace of heart ruined if we let someone do it. It is essential to stay rooted in God—the keeper of my peace. Great post, Eliabeth!
TY Kate and I say Amen to that too… 🙂
thank you, Elizabeth! 🙂
Everyone gets angry on occasion. If you’re experiencing overwhelming rage, though, it could be damaging your mental and physical health. It’s important to control your emotions and calm yourself down for your own sake as well as for the sake of others. Frequent anger might raise your risk of heart disease significantly.