In this week's episode, I talk a bit about my own history with anger, as a half-Italian whose family of origin is somewhat quick to anger. I talk about how during the pandemic I started meditating to yell at my kids less but then found myself not getting "good and angry" when things happened that actually required me to be angry. I talk about being angry at the appropriate level-that is, matching the situation to my anger and not screaming at someone for cutting me off in traffic- as long as they aren't endangering myself or my family, etc. (That's a 1 or 2 on a 10-point scale) But also, if my kids are running into the street to an oncoming car (probably a 10), that is the time to yell and jump in there and grab them. Action item: pay attention to your anger this week and try to match your level of anger to the situation. If the situation requires a 1 then give it a 1. But if the situation requires a 10, then be sure to give it a 10. The necessary part of anger is that if we don't get angry when it is required, we often can't get ourselves out of bad or scary situations, and sometimes we find ourselves being "walked all over," as they say. Have a great week!
