Anger is so powerful! I think it's like any blade -- a dangerous enemy if wielded without training, AND an essential ally in expressing truth and achieve our goals.

I find it helps to remember three things that are true for me:
1. Anger is a means of expressing the powerful energy of fear.
3. Fear is a physical (biochemical) response to not getting a need met.

Here's how it looked yesterday:
1. "The grocery clerk is so slow -- I'm enraged and frustrated and have an impulse to slam my cart into the stand. Okay, so what am I afraid of right now?"

2. "I'm afraid it's taking so long, I won't have time to get home, unpack, make lunch and make it to work on time. Okay, so what are the needs beneath that?'

3. "I have a need to have good food in my body, to be responsible to my work commitments, and to have an opportunity to rest in safety before I head in to the office. Okay, so how else can I get those needs met if this quick-line-at-the-grocery strategy isn't working?"

4. "I can call work and say I was held up. I can prepare a quicker meal than I had planned. i can be late by just a few minutes and remember that no one ever seems to notice. I can quit my job! I can eat at a fast food place! (which is just as drastic as job quitting, in my book )"

I usually do come to a place of ridiculous humor once I remember I have other choices and strategies available. It's like as soon as I can really recognize and appreciate them, the anger and fear dissipate into the incense smoke of laughter and life.

I hope this is helpful!

Delight