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Drop it like it's hot!

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.  Buddha

What good does holding on to anger do?  How does it benefit anyone, especially the one holding on to it?  Here's the short answer:  It does no good and there is no benefit.  Period.  No justifications, excuses, or any reason you can come up with will be a good enough reason for holding on to anger.  Buddha is right, hold on to it and you are the only one getting burned.  You can't throw it off at someone else, it doesn't work that way.  Anger doesn't transfer.
Ever looked into the physical problems that can crop up because of held anger?  Here's a few, and mind you these are just the physical things - not the emotional ones which far outweigh the physical in the long run:

  • Clenching your jaws or grinding your teeth (can lead to MAJOR dental issues!)
  • Headache
  • Stomachache
  • Increased and rapid heart rate
  • Sweating, especially in your palms
  • Feeling hot in neck/face
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Dizziness
Like I said those are just a few.  And the longer you hold on to anger the more those symptoms, and others, become a constant in your life.  Ugh.  I'd call that "getting burned".  How about a few emotional problems?  Just to convince you further:
  • Irritated
  • Sad/Depressed (many severely depressed people discover through therapy that their depression stems from anger toward someone or something. I'm being 100% serious!)
  • Guilty
  • Resentful
  • Anxious
  • Striking out at other verbally or physically
  • Yelling, screaming, crying
  • Getting sarcastic (I'm assuming you'll know what kind of sarcasm this means - not the in fun kind we all engage in from time to time but the hurtful kind)
  • Acting in abusive/abrasive manner
  • Raising your voice
  • Craving a substance that will relax you (except it doesn't)
  • Sense of humor disappears
Like I said those emotional signs are just a few of the ways you may be able to tell if you or someone else is holding on to anger and burning themselves!  

So let me ask again.  What good does holding on to anger do?  How does it benefit anyone, especially the one holding on to it?  Drop it like its hot and instead jump into the adventure of forgiveness!  

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