1 Week Off from Anger

Bucket list item 1: Do not get angry at anyone for 1 week

This is the first item I completed in my bucket list. It might be a simple task for many but for someone like me who gets irritated for small things and expresses it with anger, it is a huge task. I always hated the part of me that gets angry at people who are important to me.

Every time I get angry at my parents, I regret it within 10 seconds coz I know I could have handled it better. The guilt kills you especially if the other person chose not to react and forgives you without expecting an apology.

 I have tried many a times to control my anger but in vain; this time I decided to do it for a week. When I tried for the first time, I lost my cool and got angry within 3 hours so I tried again the next day. Well, second day I could go on till evening and just before completing the day, I became angry but expressed it in a subtle way (still anger is anger).

I honestly didn’t know how to sustain the state of serenity for 7 days– 168 hours :-O

 Third time I tried and told myself so many times not to forget my mission. Well, again there was this morning tension and I was running late for work (my peak angry hours). I almost had an argument but suddenly my brain took in charge and made a wise decision – do not get angry, just be nice and give a funny reply. Wow, it worked! It actually lightened up the situation and everybody became normal. I was little proud about my first successful encounter. That is when I realized, there is no point in controlling anger coz it will not help. Controlling anger is like trying to control an active volcano; when it reaches the limit, the lava will burst and find its way out. The only solution is to let go of anger.

Things that helped me let go of my anger:

1. When in anger, don’t respond right away; take a moment and realize what that person means to you.
2. Change your tone; even sarcasm can be taken lightly with a nice tone. Try to be funny and deliver your reply with a smile. It will sure change the situation (Source: from experience).
3. Letting go of anger- Accept the truth and realize that if you don’t accept now, it will not disappear.  You need to face it sooner or later so do it now and free yourself from rage and anger.
4. Anger doesn’t hurt others; it will only eat our happiness and hurt us. Remember this - getting angry is punishing yourself for other’s mistakes and every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of your happiness.
5.  There is always a choice: choose people over anger!

First 2 days were so difficult coz I often forgot that I shouldn’t get angry but after a while it became easy and I have successfully completed the challenge. It is kind of nice to have some control over life :)

Do not get angry at anyone for 1 week

Yay! My first bucket list challenge is completed!