THE ANGLE OF YOUR WRANGLE, Some Cures For Anger (1)

(additional thoughts are added Monday and Thursday of each week)

In the spring of 1894, the Baltimore Orioles baseball team was playing in Boston. Halfway through the game, an Orioles player, John McGraw, got into a first class fight with Boston’s third baseman. Soon, all the players on both teams exploded onto the field and fists began to fly. Soon the fight spread to the stands. Then someone set the stands on fire. The fire spread – when it was over 107 buildings in Boston lay in ashes.

To find anger is to lose reason. It paves the way for many regrets. It is the father of foolishness. One can seldom be proud of what they say or do when angry. The book of Proverbs puts it this way: “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.”

“Daddy,” the little boy asked, “How does war start?” “Well,” answered his daddy, “In World War I the Germans marched into Belgium and…” His wife interrupted, “You’re wrong. The Archduke was assassinated. You’ve got the wrong war.”

“Who did our son ask? Just shut up and stay out of this.” Now his wife was beginning to steam, “If you weren’t so dumb I wouldn’t have had to say anything.” As their anger escalated the little boy broke in, “You don’t have to say any more. I have the answer.”

Will Rodgers once commented, “Anyone who flies off in a rage is going to have a very rocky landing.

Would you control your anger more often than it controls you? Act calm whether you feel calm or not. Stop shouting or better still don’t start. It is easier to control your outward actions than it is to control your inner feelings…so start with that which you can control.

Is too much sugar making you act anything but sweet? Sometimes, cutting back on too many cakes or candies can decrease the tendency toward irritation. Try it…you may like the results.

More in my next notes on anger.