Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean.
Maya Angelou
When I first read this quote, it impacted me. But still, I could not quite put my finger on why. So, I have chewed on it for a while and have come to appreciate the wise words of this statement. Anger is a self preserving emotion. It’s function is to protect, defend, and to behold righteousness in truth. Anger is the most base of all human emotions, and in it’s purest form is an effective instrument that drives us to passion, motivation, and even success. Anger is a purging agent that comes in and does it’s job swiftly, and then it is up to us how we will direct the leftover and excess energies of such a potent emotion. Anger is not meant to linger. In fact, even Jesus said not to let the sun go down on your anger. Anger that is left to stew will continue to burn, the embers slowly transforming into a disease, a sickness, if you will. I think most of us are intelligent enough to know when we have crossed the line, been angry over something for too long. When it affects the quality of our lives and interferes with our happiness and peace, we know we have some soul searching and contemplating to do.
I have spent a lot of time being angry in my life, and to this day I still have to pull in on the reins of a fiery disposition. But coupled with love and forgiveness, it is possible to allow our anger to serve a greater purpose for our lives. Anyone who speaks with wisdom and conviction, I assure you, had put a great deal of time in subduing this emotion. They would not settle for a second rate existence of bitterness and resentment. They have creatively found ways to use the life force of anger in different aspects of their lives. We all have this capacity. We are able to be the masters of our anger, monarchs of our indignation. Believe it or not, you can still be angry in a respectful way and not lose your dignity in the process.
I encourage anyone feeling anxiety or depression to look for the root source of these symptoms, and reflect on how it got to be there. I promise you that anger will always be the initial source, coupled with the pain we felt when the emotions were born. Let’s give ourselves a gift, something of lasting value that has the potential to change our lives and impact our world. Seek out forgiveness when you have discovered the triggers. Putting in just a little time to search, discover, reflect and apply in this way will truly bear the sweetest of fruits. We hold the keys to our own happiness and the power to be victorious. To me, that is the most amazing gift of all.
I have previously written a couple of posts that will compliment this message, and aid in advancing to the next steps. For more insight, here are the links:
celestealluvial.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/forgiveness-is-a-process/
http://celestealluvial.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/embracing-pain-a-transformation/
~ Celeste ~
THAT’S VERY BRIGHT CELESTE ………..
VERY BRIGHT ——–
LETTING GO OF ANGER —- WOW …….
AND MOVING WITH EACH EMOTION —— SETS THE HEART FREE – AGAIN AND AGAIN …..
MUCH LOVE AND YOU KNOW I WAS JUST THINKING OF YOU BECAUSE OF – REMEMBER LAST WEEK – WE WERE WRITING ABOUT – THOSE UC VIDS –
AND THE THOUSANDS OF STUDIES DONE ON ANGER – ETC
AND ALMOST NONE DONE ON THE GOOD STUFF …..
I THINK THE CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE – UC CALIFORNIA – HAS UPLOADED A FEW MORE TALKS …. I HAVE TO CHECK LATER .
HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY XO
LOVE ALWAYS XX
C
You are right! They did not mention the good….but there is always good in everything, just have to look more closely through the hard things…..As always, thank you for commenting….I always feel encouraged by your praise….xoxo….much love beautiful….
WONDERFUL post my dear friend! I have loved this quote for a couple years now when I found it while struggling with intense anger over my sons abuse. I am glad you put your anaylisis into this because I “got” the quote but couldn’t put my finger on the “why” and you have helped me to understand. ♥ Much love to you beautiful lady. ♥
I am thrilled that I could shed some light for you….I thank you for sharing that with me….it makes everything worthwhile when someone is inspired….thanks to you, my lovely muse friend….xoxo
This is an amazing post Celeste. Anger is a strong emotion that needs self-control to guide us back to a place where we feel at peace once again taht is restored in our minds when we learn to let go and let God.
Stay blessed my sister.
Sherline
Thank you nightshade…..I appreciate the comment and the visit….love to you….
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Hi Celeste!
Check them out at : http://ramblingsofacreativemind.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/acceptance-of-various-awards/
I’ve nominated you for various awards. There is no obligation or rules, just accept them. Congrats hun
Stay Blessed
Sherline
I am very honored and receive them humbly…thank you….
Wonderful post, Celeste, with a great deal of wisdom. It is true that the root of most anger is pain; whether for ourselves or for another. It is also true that forgiveness frees us from our anger – and forgiveness is more for ourselves, to allow us to move forward in our lives with a sense of peace and love. ~ Julie xox
Well said, Ms. Julie….I am so happy you visited and shared your thoughts…..
much love….
So true. Healthy anger protects us. It tells us something is not right and may need our attention. Bitterness and long term resentment kills. Great information.
This is spot on, Ms. Kristen….thank you for adding that….always enjoy your visits and comments….
love and blessings…
Hey Kristin, I think I am going to your spam folder. Would you kindly go there, fish me out and exonerate me? lol Thanks…..
Anger is a part of who we are as much as love or joy or sadnesss. To neglect it or to push it to the side and to pretend we don’t feel it only brings pain in the end, and starts a cycle of bitterness that is ever so difficult to break. To say that it is good to feel anger is an understatement- it is necessary. But to allow it to consume you is internally and externally damaging. Never allow anger to ferment into blind rage, revenge or bitterness. Feel it and let it burn you clean, and then let it go. Never let anger force you to do something you can’t take a step back from and be proud of later. If in ten years time you look back and say ‘that was reckless and stupid and I gained nothing’ then you were either a victim of peer pressure or fury, and neither one is really all that great. If instead you use anger as a driving force to create, you can release it faster and in the process, make something that might reach out and touch others, or help lift you away from the pain.
It’s hard. Probably one of the hardest things is to let go. But in order to move on and live life for love and peace, first there must be tranquility of a kind with yourself. In order to reach that tranquility, it isn’t necessary to cleanse yourself of all negative emotion (which is merely repression and in itself a horrible thing to contemplate), only to feel it, let it rise, and let it fall again all at once. This is the true cleansing, the true purity of spirit and mind that we can strive for. At least, that’s how I’ve come to understand it. Everyone has their own method. It’s part of what makes life so beautiful, the variety in our minds, hearts and bodies. It never ceases to amaze me.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, as always, Celeste. I do so enjoy reading your ideals, hopes and the pieces of yourself you share. <3 Please don't stop, they're always lovely in their own way. <3
<3s with a healthy dose of good fortune,
-Eris
‘Feel it and let it burn you clean, and then let it go’….this sums it up beautifully….Thanks so much, Eris, for adding these thoughts, they compliment the post well….and of course I appreciate the lovely words of praise, very sweet of you to say….glad you came by for a visit….
love and truth……
I agree with you 100%. I actually wrote about anger today. Though my words are far different then yours. I think we come up to the same end results.
http://silentlyheardonce.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=766&action=edit
You shared some insightful points and added imagery to boot for extra conviction, and you did it well. I enjoyed your thoughts and received the message in agreement…. and am glad you sent me the link….
and the poem you wrote to go with it complimented it well…very firey, I liked it a lot….. Thank you lady silent….
love and happiness to you…
Celeste
This is a wonderful post Celeste. I agree, a cleansing anger can be a good thing, much like a good pruning to enable new growth; but bitterness uses up our life force and takes away our joy in living. xoxoxo
Briefly, your post was convincing but as I chewed on it, the basic understanding I possess in philosophy, psychology and ancient scriptures ~ Anger is usually misdirected hurt and belief of entitlement [to a degree] I lean toward Prof. Rasmussen:
Dennis Rasmussen teaches us one way: “Evil multiplies by the response it seeks to provoke, and when I return evil for evil, I engender corruption myself. The chain of evil is broken for good when a pure and loving heart absorbs a hurt and forbears to hurt in return. . . . Deep within every child of God the Light of Christ resides, guiding, comforting, purifying the heart that turns to him.”
Thanks for a wonderful post of insightful viewpoints into the soul and the mind. I love your blog. Especially your taking accountability. Sincerely Deborah
Anger has many faces and faucets, Ms. Deborah. I even agree with what your Mr. Rasmussen says, and he said it beautifully. There are many details I didnt go into, and will expound upon in the future….I want to build a foundation, working with how we view things in our minds….my message is easy and not burdensome….it does not scare ppl away….it is affirming, and it is healing and truth. I have been healed of mental sicknesses by the words I use in my posts, so I know their abilities and their power. It is so important to send out the truth the way you got it, and not add to it: even more important still, to start with milk, and not meat. We are building from the ground up. You are right, I do so try to be accountable, and I will not cause another brother or sister to stumble, not on purpose, not if I can help it. These words I say are easy to interpret and apply, and in the eyes of God and eternity, this is what matters. When Jesus healed ppl, he never used the same method….I know my scriptures as well, I devoted years to their interpretation and study. But weather we agree or weather we dont, as long as the motive is pure, we are all wanting the same thing, working toward the same thing….I am not here to disagree and say no, but my spirit says yes…..I try to stay true to myself, and relay to others the things I have heard, and those things I know has helped me. My messages will grow in maturity, adding on and complimenting each other, showing a bigger picture. It is hard to pinpoint anything I may believe based on one post, for I could argue for many sides, for many causes. I appreciate you adding your thoughts, I always like to hear where ppl are in their minds…it is always insightful….
much love and peace to you….
Celeste
Brilliantly spoken! You’re absolutely right in all points and know the Lord will continue using you as an instrument and vessel of light. Thank you for your insightful and sensitive comment/reply. God bless you more each day.
Gratefully your friend ~ Deborah
You truly are a diamond to not only not take offense, but to see through to the heart of what I said in my reply. I am more than a little surprised, and applaud your devotion and sincerity.
much peace and goodwill to you….
Celeste
Celeste, no need to be offended by truth or viewpoints or perspectives and continuous growing by each of us, don’t you think dear?
ALWAYS in your corner! ~Deborah
Thanks so much for your genuinely kind words, I hope to keep living up to these.
I agree. And thank you Ms, Deborah….your words are kind as they are sincere….
I appreciate your thoughts and your visit…..
much love and light to you
Celeste
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Wise quote Celeste – and thoughtful and reflective post. Thank you
Celeste, this is truly a MOST empowering post–one of your very best. Depression has been defined as repressed anger. Maya was so correct in advising us to let the anger flow within us and cleanse us with its burning flame. Yes, we can be kind and merciful and positive in how we choose to use the energies released by the anger. Positive results in improving the world around us, instead of negative results from eating ourselves up with the acid of depression.
You express this so perfectly, I couldn’t have said it better!
amazing words with amazing replies, thank you for showing my simplicity the difference and the mature way to see anger and not allow cancer to swallow me up! love the milk before the meat..what a pure simple pleasurable thought!
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