GETTING THE ANGER OUT

I learned that a woman in Arkansas called her local police
department. She asked about the penalty for fighting. The sergeant
told her that she could be charged with assault and battery. The fine
was $100.

"Oh, I want to beat up my sister," she said, "and I wanted to see if
I can afford it."

Anger must certainly be expressed, but this woman discovered that
there is a price for expressing it inappropriately. Which is why, in
the Japanese town of Yamanakako, visitors will pay hefty sums simply
for the chance to vent their anger in Yoshie Ogasawara's "Relief
Room," the main attraction of her four-story fun house. There,
stressed-out business persons, jilted lovers and enraged spouses can
smash a large porcelain vase, hurl ceramic ware into a soapstone
peach tree from China and break a few ceramic clowns in an attempt to
express their pent-up rage. The relief room owes its phenomenal
success to our human need to express anger appropriately.

But still the most effective way of dealing with anger is to express
it in words. "Talk it out" with the person with whom you are upset.
As William Blake wrote:

   I was angry with my friend,
   I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
   I was angry with my foe.
   I told it not, my wrath did grow.

Anger must be "told" to be stilled. And if it is not possible to talk
directly with the offending person, find a good listener. Sometimes,
just "getting it out" is enough.

Further, talk it out soon, since unacknowledged anger is a malignant
tumor. "Don't let the sun set on your anger," but rather strive to
finally let go of each day's resentment in order to keep a clean
slate.

Talking is still the best way to work through life's issues. And
besides, this way you get to keep the dishes for company!

__________

Steve Goodier Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional
speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for
more information, or to sign up for his FREE newsletter of Life, Love
and Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com.