The greatest remedy for anger is delay.
This was a quote taken from Seneca's Letters from a Stoic.
It simply means that in order to diffuse your anger towards others you simply need to be patient. Simply wait, and be strong enough at the moment to not react, hold the anger in and just wait until you are no longer blinded by whatever was aggravating you in the first place.
We get angry in life typically for the most laughable reasons, and often find that once we have waited until the anger has dissipated that we tend to actually forget why we were angry in the first place! It has happened to me so many times and I'm sure so many others of you, and even more so that I look back and really see that the thing that I actually got angry at was nothing really at all.
It is almost certain that there are worse things happening in the world than the event or action that has made you angry, and your thoughts are as you make them, so it is important to remember that life is too short to get angry at anything. I understand that this may be difficult when caught up in the moment, because being human beings, our emotions and attitudes really do take over at times. And whatever has made you angry really may be a bad thing.
But it doesn't have to remain that way...
No matter what the situation, in order to remedy the anger, take a step back and contemplate, see the good in the action or event, because there is always something good in the negative. All we need to do is search for it.
Have a great week!
Background on Seneca:
Seneca, born in southern Spain over 2,000 years ago in 4 BC and educated in Rome was a high-ranking financial clerk who pursued a career in politics. He worked with Emperor Nero as his tutor and advisor for a number of years which is where he was subsequently killed by order of Nero himself due to suspicion of Seneca being treacherous. He died in 65 AD. He was interested in many different types of philosophies but sold himself on the idea and concept of Stoicism primarily coined by Zeno in theory. Read by important figures in society such as Nassim Taleb and Tim Ferris, the writings of Seneca compiled into the books that express his ideas are still very influential even today.
Nice article @eldergill, I love your style of writing. I must say that theres no other alternative to controlling your anger than the one you just spoke about. Before reacting we have to consciously calm ourselves down and take a deep breath and count to 10. If very angry count to 100. Because if you speak when you're angry you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret. Your speech may be forgiven, but will it be forgotten? No! So let's not let angry take control of us ☺️.
Thanks for your comment @edywill!
I completely agree! Also meditating on gratitude allows you to diffuse anger, because when you are grateful for something there really is no room for anger or resentment at the same time!
Hope to connect again soon :)!