Tonight on my way home from the office I witnessed not one, but two instances of road rage. They occurred about 20 minutes and 15 miles apart. Horns blared, two-ton vehicles swerved aggressively, middle fingers saluted. Each was behind me, so I couldn’t get plate numbers.
I felt nervous. I felt uncomfortable. Then I felt grateful.
There was a time in my life when I carried a lot of anger. And while I have never swerved my car in a threatening manor, I may or may not have given a one-finger wave…or twenty. But I don’t have to live that way now. One day at a time I’ve learned how to manage anger. And sometimes…a lot of times…things that used to make me angry no longer phase me.
What does this have to do with my health and fitness journey? Anger used to be one of the emotions I stuffed down with food (as well as sadness and happiness and nervousness and worry). One day at a time I don’t do that any more. On the rare occasions I feel anger, I process the feeling by talking with a trusted mentor, journaling about the situation, prayer and meditation.
Sometimes it takes witnessing the negative behavior of others to see how far I’ve come.
482gr8 