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Mark Dylan Sieber How scary it is that anger can so unravel us. Of course, I don't refer to that passionate reaction of conviction, say perhaps to war, injustice, or minor traffic transgression. Those are moments, ideologies, or acts that by definition usually invoke scorn and disdain. I am however suggesting that is indeed lifestyle an...ger that can be debilitating.

True, such anger rarely kills us, but it does poison us ... most notably our words and thoughts. It impacts how we co-mingle with our peers, and how they view us & our value with which to so co-mingle! Anger can gnaw away at friendships with its persistent negativity and mistrust. And ultimately isolate us from those with whom we should by all acounts otherwise have nurturing, mutually-satisfying, and productive relationships.

Anger can further prompt us to make rash decisions and think rash thoughts ... with a biased disregard to consequences and feelings. It can prod us into battle when there is no war. It can keep the fires of conflict flaming while a readied resolution awaits.

The condition or "state" of anger can so quickly erode one's humanity, eat at the soul, and lessen our sense of worth and being. By condition, I obviously don't intend any such evaluation of that feeling as a response, but rather I worry about such "issues" when they have crossed that rhetorical line and become a person's likely means of interaction, or his "raison d'etre"!

I have certainly survived many bouts of such hostility. They hurt loved ones; they hurt friends' and they finally hurt me. Luckily, although not always in a timely manner, I had some sort of epiphany and addressed the situation. I sought help when necessary or took the crucial steps in self-progression, or BOTH.

That journey, I am certain, will never be over as there are always crises, challenges, and extreme moments of passion ahead. And anger will once again rear its oft-described "ugliest of heads!"
I mention this today, friends, because (in this friendly forum we call Facebook) I encounter unfortunately a great deal of anger, although hopefully not directed at me or my goofy, self-indulgent meanderings. I do, though, read casual status updates that are judgmental, cruel, or downright hateful. (By right, being a North Carolinian by birth, I claim a birthright to the term, downright!) Such posts arrogantly are intended to rile, shock, or inflict a verbal stab. And often they do just that.

But if any of you, like me, have moments of anger, I urge you to follow my advice. NEVER post, comment, or respond out of such a negative and wholly "intoxicating" emotion. Do NOT email or send a letter to someone in the heat of the moment. Wait, simmer, and ponder.

Are you reacting to an issue? Creating an issue? Prolonging an issue? Or sadly BECOMING an issue?

I love my friends and value their input and feelings. I simply do not want to see them unravel. Or see the fiber of their relationships follow suit.
THAT means you, and ME!

On that note, I will happily turn up the heat as it is, yet again, a chilly afternoon at Marklewood. The thermostat here, as that on Facebook, can be unreliable and require frequent monitoring.

(Image: "Red Thread" by Shiori Matsumoto", 2002.)See more

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