What do you think of March Madness?
Here are 5 valuable lessons anger can teach us…
Welcome to Lovin My Daughter-in-law Podcast, where my mother-in-law, relationship expert, and master certified coach LeAnn Austin will help you create more love and connection with your daughter-in-law and everyone else you care about.
Hey y’all, you’re listening to Lovin My Daughter-in-law, Episode #111: March Madness
When I first heard of March Madness, I couldn’t figure out why everyone was mad in March. I thought that was a very negative way to look at March. Or maybe it was because both words started with “M” who knows?
Well, I did finally learn that March Madness is a single elimination basketball tournament where guys compete in seven rounds for the national championship. Very different than my original thought.
I do think mad or anger is an emotion worth exploring. We all feel it. Brené Brown describes anger as “what we feel when something gets in the way of a desired outcome, or when we believe there’s a violation of the way things should be. When we feel anger, we believe that someone or something else is to blame for an unfair or unjust situation, and that something can be done to resolve the problem.”
Anger is an action emotion and a full contact emotion, kind of like March Madness. Anger activates our nervous system, and can hijack our thoughts and behaviors. It definitely takes a toll on our mental and physical health.
Learning how to regulate and cope with anger rather than hold onto it or express chronic anger is crucial for the health of our brain and other organs in the body.
While anger is often viewed as a negative emotion, it can also teach us valuable lessons. Here are five great things we can learn from anger.
Number one, self awareness. Anger can serve as a signal that something is wrong or needs attention. By recognizing and acknowledging our anger, we become more aware of our emotions and underlying triggers.
Number two, boundary setting. Anger can indicate when our boundaries have been crossed or violated. It teaches us to identify our limits and assertively communicate them to others, promoting healthier relationships.
Number three, communication skills. Expressing anger in a constructive manner requires effective communication. Learning to express our feelings assertively and respectfully can lead to better understanding and resolution of conflicts.
Number four, empathy. Experiencing anger can prompt us to consider others perspectives and understand their motivations. This fosters empathy and promotes more compassionate interactions with others.
And number five, forgiveness. Holding onto anger can be detrimental to our well being. Learning to forgive. Let go of resentments and move on from past grievances can lead to emotional liberation and inner peace.
So next time you’re feeling angry, find the lesson in it. Notice if it makes you more self aware, helps in setting boundaries, increases your communication skills, generates more empathy, or helps you to forgive.
Remember that while anger can be a challenging emotion to navigate, it can also serve as a catalyst for self awareness, personal growth, and positive change when we approach anger with mindfulness and intention.
Brené Brown says: “Anger is a catalyst. Holding onto it will make us exhausted and sick. Internalizing anger will take away our joy and spirit. Externalizing anger will make us less effective in our attempts to create change and forge connection. Anger is an emotion that we need to transform into something life giving; courage, love, change, compassion, justice.” Hmm, something to think about.
Have a good one y’all, and here’s to March Madness, anger and love.
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If you enjoyed this podcast, check out LeAnn’s Connection Crew program, where she coaches and teaches a variety of ways to have more fun and connection in our relationships. LeAnn also shares the five secrets she uses to create a beautiful relationship with me and her other daughter-in-law. She’s the real deal! I highly recommend you check this out.
And if you want one easy question you can keep in your back pocket and use to increase the love you feel for your daughter-in-law today, go to leannaustin.com and get the one question.
