When we see things around us we despise, it can make us angry. Perceived injustice tends to have that affect on all of us. There are a great many things in this world that I adore, and many things I hate with a passion. These things we hate have the potential to do something very ugly to the best of us: a feeling of self-righteousness.
I must admit my own partake of this at times. Once it is realized, it is replaced with a deep sense of shame: what exactly does my getting angry achieve, other than make me feel a little better about myself in a petty way? It makes me very sad, because then, the focus is no longer about the thing I feel so deeply about, it’s about how angry I feel, how I have extended myself to feel as if I have been wronged.
It’s easy to see past your own 2×4 sticking out of your eye, and see this in others. “Who does ___ think he is? What makes ___ think she is so great?”
Anger can be a good thing: it can motivate us to do something. Unfortunately, it’s very easy to never get past simply being angry. Being angry isn’t a virtue, it’s a motivation tool. If it doesn’t motivate you, you’re just a jerk.
Sunday, July 9th, 2006 · 1:19am