I love the rich contextualization with your personal journey exploring this emotion which you have grappled with through the years. I too have grappled with it. I have written an article here about it which might interest you:
I appreciated the references to the scientific studies as well as the breakdowns into different response frameworks.
One of the topics I am interested in is how anger influences worldview. For example, in your article you highlight how anger can be used to fuel motivation. I can understand this as someone who once used anger as an impetus for personal fitness.
However, when anger is used in this way, is there any science on whether it can also reinforce existing pathologies (e.g. victim mentality, transactional framing, cognitive distortion such as black and white thinking) - and if so, would you mind sharing professional perspectives on how to manage away from those outcomes?
That’s a good question. In many Chinese Asian cultures, anger is frowned upon or suppressed until it bubbles over. It’s often seen as weakness. And yes—when anger is repressed, indulged in, or used as an excuse to avoid what you know you should do, it can be limiting.
But when you acknowledge your anger and choose how to channel it, it becomes a powerful force for good. It helps you stop playing small, tap into courage, and pursue goals worth striving for.
As St. Augustine said, “Hope has two beautiful daughters: their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.”
Anger, like all emotions, is valid—what matters is how we use it.
Justin,
I love the rich contextualization with your personal journey exploring this emotion which you have grappled with through the years. I too have grappled with it. I have written an article here about it which might interest you:
https://medium.com/@Creaturae7/the-other-side-of-anger-57104b8b3b70
Thank you @Deborah Lee!
I appreciated the references to the scientific studies as well as the breakdowns into different response frameworks.
One of the topics I am interested in is how anger influences worldview. For example, in your article you highlight how anger can be used to fuel motivation. I can understand this as someone who once used anger as an impetus for personal fitness.
However, when anger is used in this way, is there any science on whether it can also reinforce existing pathologies (e.g. victim mentality, transactional framing, cognitive distortion such as black and white thinking) - and if so, would you mind sharing professional perspectives on how to manage away from those outcomes?
That’s a good question. In many Chinese Asian cultures, anger is frowned upon or suppressed until it bubbles over. It’s often seen as weakness. And yes—when anger is repressed, indulged in, or used as an excuse to avoid what you know you should do, it can be limiting.
But when you acknowledge your anger and choose how to channel it, it becomes a powerful force for good. It helps you stop playing small, tap into courage, and pursue goals worth striving for.
As St. Augustine said, “Hope has two beautiful daughters: their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.”
Anger, like all emotions, is valid—what matters is how we use it.
Appreciate this perspective, thank you!
You're very welcome! I enjoyed our discussion.
Another amazing article! Thank you for sharing your journey.