I guess I’m not easy going, which is one of the things I like to think I am. However, I do think it takes a lot for me to dislike someone, no actually thats not true at all. I do like to think that there are not that many people that I dislike. This is true. But it only takes one thing to make me dislike a person and I do what I dislike in other people, I judge them according to my own moral standards.
Thenceforth that person will bug me, their hypocritical stance in one instance I will then overlay on every social situation I find myself in, unless I’m very, very drunk. Even then there’s no guarantee.
Now, I know that I can change my emotional reaction to things. I know, for example that by my own efforts I can drag myself up out of the Swamp I get into sometimes (melancholia, depression, call it what you like) therefore, by my own efforts I should be able to stop being angry and upset in reaction to people I can’t stand.
The thing is though, whereas I recognise the symptoms of my depression this anger is caused by being in someone else’s presence. I can avoid these people sure, but what do I do when I’m round them. I have no idea how to deal with anger. It’s not something that I need to manage most of the time.
It does seem that after a good few centuries during which lust was often demonised, we are now in an age when anger is demonised. It seems a bit silly really, they’re both part of what makes us human. Sure, anger shouldn’t be confused with violence, but pretending it doesn’t exist is downright foolhardy.
As for how to manage it, well, I rather like the wisdom of dear old Anton LaVey on that one. Don’t bottle it up! I mean sure, choose to reroute it, choose to put it on hold for a few hours, but don’t seal it up and bung it in the cupboard for too long, because it will fester and come back to bite you on the backside. Own your anger, don’t be ashamed of it.