[orgagsUpsepsy]

penny,

i had a similar experience yesterday, with "experiecing anger". and today, i came across to those i was angry at in the appropriate way.

background

my students took a test yesterday over fractions. i know, yuck! anyway, i thought they were all ready and prepared. the first class - bombed. the second class - aced. upon completing the grading for both classes, i became very angry at the first class because i knew the reason the students did so poorly. they goof off alot, don't pay attention, don't ask questions - basically, they don't try. and, frankly, i was mad.

usually when i start to feel anger growing, i step back and observe. typically the anger diminishes and i get a little smirk, knowing i was able to monitor my thoughts/understand the situation/control my reactions.

but, upon taking your advice, i let it fly baby! whew!

like you said though, upon experiencing the anger that i was feeling, it eventually dissipated.

this morning when i gave the tests back to the class, i was very calm and "nuturing" (i was afraid last night of how i would act this morning). eventually i "got" what i wanted - admissions that they were not taking things seriously and weren't trying.

would this have happened if i suppressed my feelings last night? i'd like to think probably not. i'd also like to think that i would have handled the situation poorly this morning.

so, thanks penny for providing your "example". its not new to me, but i have tried very hard these past months on being the calm, laid back guy, which is oh so nice. but, last night (and subsequently this morning), allowing myself to experience anger worked for me. btw - i also think that some suppressed emotions came out.

today, its all gravy. :d

i guess the moral of the story (and we should know this by now), is not to be afraid of negative emotions/anger. experience it for what it is. far better than trying to suppress/eliminate it...control...

thanks again penny.

art