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ANGER

by Joan Bachman

Recently, I’ve experienced anger a few times, an emotion that hadn’t surfaced this strongly for a couple of years. Anger is a normal human response when we feel discounted, ignored, and given untrue or incomplete information. As I thought about the upsets, I reviewed the several events that led to the anger and it seemed they each hinged on my lacking information about a situation which then prohibited me from making an informed decision. This made me frustrated and unable to take reasoned action. Question to me: did someone else drop the ball or wasn’t I listening?

According to the daily news, the world is home to many angry people right now. Is there more injustice and untruth in the world now than at other times? Does the reporting make anger a more acceptable response to the unwanted or unexpected? Did I just let myself be angry because others are? Are we all “too busy” to search for the truth of the matter? I don’t know the answers, but will try to pay better attention to what I hear and how it affects me.

One way to deal with anger is to personally look for the facts about the situation in question. This takes more time than to explode or share the angry feelings. Because of my experience – and age – I have personal resources that someone else may not have, and this gives me a greater responsibility to learn and share truth. So, as any of us experience anger, it is important to think about what prompted the emotion and learn all the facts. Perhaps if we concentrate on finding truthful facts and confronting those who publicize untruths, we can contribute to lessening the level of anger in our small circles and that practice can spread.

Of course, if I’m busy working on a positive project, the angry noise will have less effect, if I even hear it. Busy hands keep the brain occupied too.

About the Author

Joan Bachman

Joan Bachman is a Registered Nurse, Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Registered Health Information Technician, and Faith Community Nurse. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Joan has experience as a Nurse, Administrator, Developer, Trainer, Grant Writer, and served as Administrator of SD State Survey Agency. She has consulted with health care facilities and nonprofit organizations and presented leadership training. Joan is the author of Guidebook for Assisted Living Facilities and Senior Service Providers and Guidebook for Physician Services in the Nursing Facility, and she has published in professional journals.

Comments

Pagyn Harding

Thanks for your insights. Since we live in a US society where Youth is so highly valued, I think feeling angry is a fairly normal reasction to how the elderly are routinely ignored or discounted. Although I'm not sure exactly how to confront this problem without being seen as a grumpy old woman because inwardly I don't feel old.

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