“Keep this thought handy when you feel a fit of rage coming on - it isn’t manly to be enraged. Rather, gentleness and civility are more human, and therefore manlier. A real man doesn’t give away to anger and discontent, and such a person has strength, courage, and endurance - unlike the angry and complaining. The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength.” - Marcus Arelius
The next time you feel that tidal wave of rage overtaking you, breathe deeply, focus; identify that feeling and intentionally rise above it. As humans we cannot help but feel these emotions. As we develop ourselves, we can learn to rise above them rather than allow them to control us as they do children.
The power you harness by controlling your head during intense, stressful, rageful moments will put you in a state of equanimity that elevates your mind and who you are as a person. You will start to become that rock that people lean on, calmness, confidence, and assurance are contagious as are feelings of anxiety, stress, and discontent… What energy are you currently putting out to your team?
Strive each day to be the person who is ice cold under pressure, unshaken by insurmountable problems and outside influence. That version of yourself has the potential to lead others past their comfort zones, into places they never thought possible for themselves. As you lift up those around you, you will also be elevating yourself. If more people had control over their emotions it would cause a chain reaction that would allow all of us to elevate above hate and ignorance.
The next time somebody betrays you, you lose a deal, you feel overwhelmed, remember that you not only control your reaction, you are influencing the reaction of those around you, friends, family, children… Fight the urge to react with emotion and your life will improve.
