Anger

This is always a weekend of mixed emotions ever since losing my dad. They say time heals all wounds, but it doesn’t. The heartache may lessen a little but it’s always there. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my dad. I know I will see him again one day, that he is no longer in pain, and is enjoying the company of our heavenly Father though so that provides enormous comfort.

Yesterday would have been my parent’s 61st wedding anniversary as well. Their love for each other and us was unconditional. I realized today while I was riding that even if someone upsets me while I’m riding, like a pickup that almost sideswiped me because they weren’t paying attention, and a car that was way over the yellow line coming straight at me around a corner, I can’t stay angry. After the initial shock of their recklessness, I thank God for his protection yet again and simply ride on thinking about positive things. It’s still a beautiful day, I’m blessed with a hubby that loves me, I have a beautiful granddaughter and another that will be arriving this week, I have a job I love, food in my home, a roof over my head, and the list goes on. So what is the purpose of staying angry?!

My mom and dad were that way together and with us. Don’t get me wrong, if we did something wrong there was sometimes some anger, disappointment, and most definitely discipline. It was not something that they dwelled on though. It seems they never stayed mad for any length of time, no grudges were held, and no constant reminders later of mistakes we had made. I can’t recall them ever arguing with each other in anger in front of us kids. I’m sure they had disagreements like all couples do, but it was something they handled between themselves.

What a different world we live in now. I’m so blessed and thankful to have been raised the way I was. We knew we were loved, we were taught respect and responsiblity for our own actions. We played outside from sun up to sun down and we knew better than to break curfew or talk back to anyone, not just our parents. I didn’t say we never did it, but that we knew better, and there were consequences for our actions. 😉 I could get on a soapbox right here but I’m just going to leave it, we all know the world today is not the same as it was even 20 years ago, let alone 30 or 40.

As I get older I’ve learned it’s not so important to have the final say in all situations, sometimes the best response is simply silence. Life’s too short to be angry all the time. If I can let it go when I’m riding, then I can do it at other times as well. It’s all about where I put my focus. Being angry with another person gives them a power over you that they should not have. Being angry with yourself is a losing battle, forget it and move on. Think about that, if I’m fighting with my own thoughts, who wins? We all get angry and have a right sometimes to feel that way, but it’s what we do with the anger that determines the outcome. The realization I came to today while riding regarding anger is something I am going to try to put more effort into even when I’m not riding.

Anger produces bad thoughts, unnecessary stress, and can cause mental and physical health issues. I don’t want it to have that hold on me at any time. I want to be able to let it go all the time, not just when I ride. Hopefully today will start a new journey towards that goal. Wish me luck, and join me if you choose. If you have things that work for you, please feel free to share in the comments for myself and others. We’re all on this journey called life together!

James 1:19-20

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.