Hello everyone in the wonderful hive family. I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the weather wherever you are. It is so good to be back after not writing on hive for seven days because I traveled to another state for a one-week seminar and I didn’t have time to interact with communities, and to even make a post.
The hive learners’ community has presented us with another amazing topic and I’m so glad to be participating in it.
Anger is a feeling of hate towards someone or something. We never get angry unless someone offends us or something doesn’t go as we planned. Anger, when not well controlled can lead to a lot of negative things like war, and destruction, it can even lead to some health issues like headaches and heart attacks.
Growing up, my mom used to say anger is the devil’s baby and that it is one of the deadliest emotions. The Catholics also regard anger as one of the capital sins and that it should be avoided and controlled immediately.
The world we live in is messed up. Funny to say most people can’t go a day without getting angry. You got angry because your teacher insulted you? Because your boss treated you wrongly? Because you couldn’t afford the clothes you’ve always wanted to buy or because your partner cheated on you? Some people even get angry over the slightest things; the ringing of the morning alarm just when you are enjoying a dreamless sleep, dealing with arrogant and sassy customers, the sound of the doorbell, etc.
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There are thousands of reasons why people get angry. Now, the main question is, do you let your anger get the better side of you? Or do you have a way of controlling it and using it to your own advantage?
Can anger be a good tool for bringing change?
Yes. Anger is a good tool for bringing change. However, that is when it is rightly used. When most people hear the word anger, they think of it as something that has to do with violence, war, destruction, red, hot, pain, and black. However, not all types of anger are negative and destructive. There’s a type of anger that I like to call controlled anger or unharmful anger.
Controlled or unharmful anger is very productive when it is used for the right cause; not for revenge, damage, destruction, pain, or war. We can also use anger productively if it is kept under control or quickly subdued. Anger is a very powerful and productive tool and can help bring positive changes if we use it with the right force.
An example of controlled or nonharmful anger can be seen in the bible. If you’re familiar with the story of the cleansing of the temple, then you’ll have a better understanding of what controlled or non-harmful anger is. When Jesus entered the temple, he saw greedy traders buying and selling in the temple. This made him angry and he drove them out and overturned the table of pigeon sellers and money changers.
We can see in the story that “anger” when used for the right cause can bring positive changes.
Another example of how anger can be used as a tool for bringing change; mother to child relationship. We all know how kids can be very frustrating and tiring. They are innocent, all they want to do is to play and have fun, not minding the damages they cause. When he gets to a point where the mother (father or caregiver) can no longer bear it, she’ll have to get angry and correct them with love, so they won’t repeat they’ll learn the right way. Can we now say this type of anger is destructive?
Anger is also a productive tool as it helps to bring change by correcting people’s bad behavior. Shortly after I graduated from high school, I took a teaching job in an elementary school close to where I lived. I was so happy when I got the Job because I’ve always wanted to teach elementary students, plus I’d make money while doing it. Unfortunately, the school principal who also happened to be the school owner was a very rude person. She didn’t care about how her teachers felt, all she cared about was her school and money.
I worked there for more than 2 months without getting paid. After the third month, I got angry and left to do something better. I got angry but I didn’t use it violently, instead, I controlled it and used it to my own advantage.
Anger can also bring change to a country. As I said earlier, when anger is channeled with the right force, it’ll surely bring about positive changes. When the duties and obligations are neglected by the government of a country, the people can show how pained and angry they are through strategies like rallies and peaceful protests.
Here in Nigeria, the federal universities under ASUU (Academic Staff Union Of Universities) have been on strike for the past seven months. It got to a point where students got angry and came out to voice out, and their voices were heard by the federal government. (Although they are yet to do something about it)
in conclusion
As I’ve said earlier, anger can bring about positive changes when it; is used for the right cause, if it is kept under control, and if it can be quickly subdued. However, we shouldn’t neglect the fact that anger can be very violent and destructive, that is why we should learn to control it and use it to our advantage. As humans, there are times when we’ll have to get angry, but to prevent bloodshed or any other negative effects of anger, we should learn to manage and control it. Swallow it before it eats you up.
If you’re hot-tempered, the best way to calm yourself down when you’re angry is just to walk away. Just walk away and say nothing, or breathe in and count before you say or do something.
Cheers!