I often remind my students (whether ages 5–105!) when we are working on using our mindfulness tools, that it’s ok to be angry!
There’s nothing wrong with anger.
And, we are not wrong for feeling angry.
In fact, one of the worst things we can do for our health and well-being is to pretend like we aren’t angry and suppress those tough stuff feelings.
But, there is a healthier way to be in relationship with our anger. It’s called being responsive to the emotion.
That means… being open.
The other way…
well, it’s closed.
It creates a wall. A really big wall. Like a really, really big wall.
It creates a wall in us and those we love most.
You know which way I’m talking about yet?
The way that can have us blowing hot, fiery steam out of our ears and mouth and, into the hearts and minds of those we love.
It’s called being reactive to the emotion. Take a moment and close your eyes.
You see it? It doesn’t feel so great does it.
Now, I’m not saying run away from tough feelings. What I am saying is let’s stop making things tougher and harder than they should be.
When we are in a reactive state, we can’t think clearly, we can say some of the meanest things (like grade school playground bully mean…yikes, right?!), and we just make things worse with our every thought, word, and action.
Until…
we choose to shift how we are in relationship with our anger.
I know, it’s so much easier to blame others and the world for our anger.
But, the truth is, it’s 100% our responsibility to manage our anger. Every. Day.
Sometimes those of us in the education and academic world can get fancy and call it self-control and self-regulation.
Good terms. I like them. It just means that we are in control of our anger.
That is…
if we have the right tools.
And…
if we practice. Practice a lot. Then practice some more.
Not sure what tools to use to take you from a reactive state to a responsive state in these tough emotional moments?
No worries. I’ve got you covered.
This is one of many ways I love to tune into and spread the awesomesauce!
So, if you are ready to bring more openness, more lightness, more brightness, and awesomesauce cheer to your everyday world, even in the really hard, ugly and messy stuff, then check out my Let It Go guided meditation.
It’s a visualization practice. That just means we close our eyes and use our mind’s eye for this one.
Ya know, that place we see pictures in our mind.
If you are new to this. It’s ok. Listen and see where it takes you.
You can listen in the car, at your desk, or seated on the ground in your favorite quiet spot.
Click here to download your free Let It Go guided meditation.
I can’t wait to hear how you are using this powerful mindfulness tool and what new things you are generating from this more open, light, and bright emotional space (even in the tough and messy stuff).
PS. Leave me a shout out in the comments below and let me know what you think of my free guided meditation.
XO ~
