Now my values are different. I think it's about time people start recognizing and valuing their Anger. Anger is a very powerful emotion and is at the root of constructive change.
One of the problems I find in people today is that they are both a) too docile and b) getting frustrated at things not worth getting annoyed about.
I think a) applies to the status quo and injustice, b) applies to intolerance, lack of self-control
We are taught to be part of the herd, to be submissive, to be docile - even when authority or the situation is unfair. This conditionning starts at a very early age. Along with it comes the repression of feelings that are dangerous in their nature for the social group. Anger is one of them. When someone is angry, that person is standing up for his/her rights. That person is saying "NO, I will not put up with this". Research shows that the amount of people that have the guts of doing that is, what, 10%? Most people are like sheep - afraid of going against the status quo and getting rejected. Most people's fear of anger comes from their feelings of guilt and shame that follow from it.
You know what angers me? People who don't get angry. People not standing up for themselves. People being carpets and accepting crap like martyrs. People going along with others because they're afraid... individuals who don't realize how strong they could be if they dared speaking up for their rights. Whole groups ostracizing members they saw as "deviant" because they annoyed others in one way or the other. This is related to the "enablers" thread. And what angers me the most are passive people who are annoyed by people trying to change things. There is one thing I can't stand and that's apathy and disengagement. You know, the "wtf? Who cares. It doesn't matter. It's idealistic" cynical attitude. That's the attitude of someone who is resigned. It's like the ostrich putting her head in the sand and pretending the rest of the world didn't exist. It's weak.
Hey, we all have a responsibility in what happens around us. So instead of sitting around and complaining, we need to get angry and move our asses to act and change things. You have the RIGHT to defend your interests and stand up against what is unfair. Not expressing your anger is not being "strong", it's being passive and submissive. Don't buy into the BS of people who tell you to take the high road and ignore the problem/situation. It's because of all the people who do these things that many things never change and injustices perservere.
Don't be a follower - be the leader of yourself and don't let anyone walk on you or abuse your rights. Anger is healthy when you're fighting for your rights and against injustice. Stand up for yourself and don't let anyone take advantage of you. Your needs, wants, opinions and feelings are just as important as they are of other people. Assert yourself, put your boundaries and speak up... you'll get more of what you want, will be understood better and will be respected.
One of the problems I find in people today is that they are both a) too docile and b) getting frustrated at things not worth getting annoyed about.
I think a) applies to the status quo and injustice, b) applies to intolerance, lack of self-control
We are taught to be part of the herd, to be submissive, to be docile - even when authority or the situation is unfair. This conditionning starts at a very early age. Along with it comes the repression of feelings that are dangerous in their nature for the social group. Anger is one of them. When someone is angry, that person is standing up for his/her rights. That person is saying "NO, I will not put up with this". Research shows that the amount of people that have the guts of doing that is, what, 10%? Most people are like sheep - afraid of going against the status quo and getting rejected. Most people's fear of anger comes from their feelings of guilt and shame that follow from it.
You know what angers me? People who don't get angry. People not standing up for themselves. People being carpets and accepting crap like martyrs. People going along with others because they're afraid... individuals who don't realize how strong they could be if they dared speaking up for their rights. Whole groups ostracizing members they saw as "deviant" because they annoyed others in one way or the other. This is related to the "enablers" thread. And what angers me the most are passive people who are annoyed by people trying to change things. There is one thing I can't stand and that's apathy and disengagement. You know, the "wtf? Who cares. It doesn't matter. It's idealistic" cynical attitude. That's the attitude of someone who is resigned. It's like the ostrich putting her head in the sand and pretending the rest of the world didn't exist. It's weak.
Hey, we all have a responsibility in what happens around us. So instead of sitting around and complaining, we need to get angry and move our asses to act and change things. You have the RIGHT to defend your interests and stand up against what is unfair. Not expressing your anger is not being "strong", it's being passive and submissive. Don't buy into the BS of people who tell you to take the high road and ignore the problem/situation. It's because of all the people who do these things that many things never change and injustices perservere.
Don't be a follower - be the leader of yourself and don't let anyone walk on you or abuse your rights. Anger is healthy when you're fighting for your rights and against injustice. Stand up for yourself and don't let anyone take advantage of you. Your needs, wants, opinions and feelings are just as important as they are of other people. Assert yourself, put your boundaries and speak up... you'll get more of what you want, will be understood better and will be respected.