The Ash Grove
 
 

 
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.
 
-- William Blake


 

We have a right to claim our own feelings.

Sometimes we get angry, but hold it inside because we think it's wrong to feel it. If anger builds inside us, it expands like a balloon ready to burst.

 If not released, it can make us depressed, or even physically ill. When we give ourselves permission to feel anger, we are better able to get rid of it in a healthy way. 

Our inner voice can tell us how to let go of our anger. And once we've released it, we can easily get in touch with the feelings that caused it. 

When we recognize our anger for what it is -- one feeling among many others that makes us unique -- it loses its significance, and we can prevent it from consuming us.

Indira Ghandi said, "You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist." 

When we let go of our anger we can honestly embrace each other with open arms.


 

 

 


 
 
 
 

 

A good anger acted upon is beautiful as lightning

and swift with power. A good anger swallowed

clots the blood like slime.
 
 

--  Marge Piercy
 

 

 

How does it feel when someone tells us we should play basketball when we don't want to?

Often, it angers us that someone else is telling us what to do.

After we have been told we should do something many times, we begin to believe it and forget how we really feel.

Even though we have forgotten what we wanted to do, we feel angry, often without realizing it.

Such hidden anger can leave us feeling bad without knowing why. 

It is important to know when we are angry, and to say so.

There are healthy ways of expressing anger without blaming others.

Saying we are angry, and thereby claiming it as our own feeling and not something others force on us, is a way to express it which also affirms our right to be angry.

__________

© 1991 Hazelden Foundation from the book Today's Gift

10/09/2003

 

 Anger initials © Carol's Clipart Collection (dead link 1999)

Some of the lines, bars & banners by vikimouse at The New Mousepad

Holy Spirit detail from The Return image Copyright © Jonathon Earl Bowser

Moon Magic image Copyright © Myles Pinkney