I’ve always been a laid-back guy. I don’t tend to take things personally or let people get under my skin. I generally give people the benefit of the doubt if they’re rude or unkind, chalking it up to their being human and having a bad day.
But lately I’ve been losing my temper more, and as usually happens, those I love have been hurt the most.
When I was younger, I might have spent a lot of time analyzing why I was more angry. Was it justified? Was I being treated unfairly or being taken advantage of? Were there deep-seated resentments that I needed to surface?
These days I don’t take it so seriously. Usually if I’m angry, its because I’m not taking very good care of myself. I start to blame others for demanding too much from me, and I start to feel sorry for myself. I forget how fortunate and blessed I am.
So I’ve decided to recommit to my calm demeanor.
For me the key is not in trying to stop being angry, but in practicing kindness. Trying to stop an emotion is akin to bottling it up, which never ends well. Instead, I’m reminding myself how wonderful the people in my life are by finding new ways to be kind to them. I’m going out of my way to give them a kind word or a hug. I’m writing them notes. I’m taking the time to listen to their words instead of the worries in my head.
I’ll check in again in a few weeks and let you know how it’s going.
