And yet, not to feel an emotion in the first place may obscure you to yourself—it’s a two-sided coin. To opt to not know what you’re feeling when I struggle to find out seems strange to me.
I think you’re misunderstanding what I said. I’m not obscuring my feelings from myself. I’m just aware of the moment when I choose what to feel, and I actively choose.
I’m not advocating never getting angry, just not doing it when it’s likely to impair your ability to communicate or function. If you choose to be offended, that’s a valid choice… but it should also be an active choice, not just the default.
I find it fairly easy to be frustrated without being angry at someone. It is, after all, my fault for assuming that someone is able to understand what I’m trying to argue, so there’s no point in being angry at them for my assumption. They might have a particularly virulent meme that won’t let them understand… should I get mad at them for a parasite? It seems pointless.
Well, it seems I misunderstand your statement, “It is possible to not control anger but instead never even feel it in the first place, without effort or willpower.”
I know it is possible to experience anger, but control it and not act angry—there is a difference between having the feeling and acting on it. I know it is also possible to not feel anger, or to only feel anger later, when distanced from the situation. I’m ok with being aware of the feeling and not acting on it, but to get to the point where you don’t feel it is where I’m starting to doubt whether it’s really a net benefit.
And yes, I do understand that with understand / assumptions about other people, stuff that would have otherwise bothered me (or someone else) is no longer a source of anger. You changed your outlook and understanding of that type of situation so that your emotion is frustration and not anger. If that’s what you meant originally, I understand now.
Mostly I don’t even feel frustration, but instead sadness. I’d like to be able to help, but sometimes the best I can do is just be patient and try to explain clearly, and always immediately abandon my arguments if I find that I’m the one with the error.
And yet, not to feel an emotion in the first place may obscure you to yourself—it’s a two-sided coin. To opt to not know what you’re feeling when I struggle to find out seems strange to me.
I think you’re misunderstanding what I said. I’m not obscuring my feelings from myself. I’m just aware of the moment when I choose what to feel, and I actively choose.
I’m not advocating never getting angry, just not doing it when it’s likely to impair your ability to communicate or function. If you choose to be offended, that’s a valid choice… but it should also be an active choice, not just the default.
I find it fairly easy to be frustrated without being angry at someone. It is, after all, my fault for assuming that someone is able to understand what I’m trying to argue, so there’s no point in being angry at them for my assumption. They might have a particularly virulent meme that won’t let them understand… should I get mad at them for a parasite? It seems pointless.
Edit—please disregard this post
Well, it seems I misunderstand your statement, “It is possible to not control anger but instead never even feel it in the first place, without effort or willpower.”
I know it is possible to experience anger, but control it and not act angry—there is a difference between having the feeling and acting on it. I know it is also possible to not feel anger, or to only feel anger later, when distanced from the situation. I’m ok with being aware of the feeling and not acting on it, but to get to the point where you don’t feel it is where I’m starting to doubt whether it’s really a net benefit.
And yes, I do understand that with understand / assumptions about other people, stuff that would have otherwise bothered me (or someone else) is no longer a source of anger. You changed your outlook and understanding of that type of situation so that your emotion is frustration and not anger. If that’s what you meant originally, I understand now.
Mostly I don’t even feel frustration, but instead sadness. I’d like to be able to help, but sometimes the best I can do is just be patient and try to explain clearly, and always immediately abandon my arguments if I find that I’m the one with the error.
Edit—please disregard this post