We’ve all noticed how rage is often simmering just under the surface of many people in society today. And as a retired Clinical Counsellor I often observe the signs.
This became highlighted in the past week with some very unusual weather, including northern snow falls in the high country! This crazy weather has caused havoc on our roads with a situation playing out right in front of our home.
But before we continue , let’s grab a cuppa, treat & get comfy.
I have a hot cuppa of French Earl Grey Tea with a gf toasted Crumpet. So Tea & crumpets are the order of the day!
Now we’re comfy lets begin…
You may remember that we live on the main road of our picturesque little seaside village, as shared in the hilarious account of Lots Of Laughter!
But with all the bad weather, the conditions on the road in front of our house has changed, many potholes have appeared in the sealed road, some I would describe as craters!
We live at the entrance to our little village where the speed limit is zoned 50 kmph (32 mph). Most careful drivers are slowing to a crawl to navigate their way through the Slalom of holes. While other impatient drivers just want to plow right through them at normal speed or faster (making them worse).
It has been interesting to witness the drivers who are patient with their fellow drivers & those who are instantly enraged.
Several enraged drivers have careened around those carefully navigating the Slalom by dangerously overtaking several vehicles at once, over double lines on a blind rise!
Then we’ve had other drivers doing ‘wheelies’ as they vent their impatience once they’ve navigated the holes.
We’ve also had some close calls with drivers, obviously going far to fast for this speed zone, slamming on their brakes & skidding in the wet conditions as they come up behind those who have slowed or are waiting their turn in line to navigate the Slalom.
Why are so many living on the edge of rage?
Dr Ela in his article, “7 Reasons Everyone seems so Angry all the Time” in Psychology Today (Ref ) shared that even he found himself getting frustrated & short tempered while waiting on the phone for service management & out driving, which shocked him for he is a Clinical Psychologist & lecturer in Stress Management to Medical & Psychiatry Students, an associate professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine.
However, we’re all human & there are certain factors impacting all of us in this phenomenon of global Anger;
Tiredness, many are not getting restorative sleep. Poor sleep or chronic sleep issues are linked to an increased intolerance, frustration & especially anger. You may find the following post interesting;
Sleep strategies…
Overwhelm, there is far too much stimulus coming at us from many directions inducing stress. Which we find nearly impossible to stay on top of each day. An example of this is seen in the amount of digital communications we have each day with emails, social media & texting both personal & work related.
I remember a time when we didn’t have mobile phones, computers or social media. When we wrote a letter, it took weeks to hear back & that was okay. Or we had to find a phone box to make a phone call, we weren’t “on call” 24 x 7 x 365. It was a much more peaceful pace & we didn’t feel overwhelmed everyday.
Chronic Stress comes from feeling overwhelmed, which makes for short tempered people & often leads to poorer health outcomes.
We need to take control of digital devices as advised in:
The Green Eyed Monster
Fearfulness, many are living in fear with what’s happening not only globally with Political postering (wars & rumor of wars), climate change & the global economy but within their own communities & personal life.
These fears can be related to increasing crime rates, social issues or personal matters like finances, work problems, family pressures or health concerns.
A great deal of research has found that, “fear promotes anger”. We need to take the time to practice;
The Art of Quietness
Most of all may we practice the advice given to us through the Apostle Paul;
“Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4: 32 BSB
Kindness & forgiveness go a long way in alleviating any type of frustration or anger. You simply can’t be kind & angry within the same moment!
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or
In Prayer
© 2025 Jennifer M. Ross, All Rights Reserved. Photo by Vera Arsic on Pexels.com
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So beautifully spoken Jen. Great insights and encouragement within.
Thanks bunches for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
Thank you for your encouraging & kind words sweet friend 💕
It’s striking how anger isn’t just emotion—it’s a signal that coherence is unraveling. The pothole-soaked road you describe becomes a mirror for the inner terrain—where fatigue, overwhelm, and fear combine to fray our capacity for calm.
Our cultural pace and constant alertness don’t just raise stress—they raise the baseline for rage. When the field no longer holds rest, people become shorthand for tension. Yet kindness, like forgiveness, isn’t soft—it’s the architecture that rebuilds coherence.
Thank you for reminding us that peacefulness isn’t passive—it’s the structure we choose to reinforce, one thoughtful moment at a time.
You’re most welcome! 😊
Jennifer, very insightful post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I enjoyed reading it. It saddens me how much rage and anger exist out there. We’ve encountered quite a few, and once an older man rolled down his window and tried to spit on our car. All of this over us driving at the speed posted on the sign. I remind myself to just pray.
Wow, that’s rather disturbing Stephanie. I’m glad you were all safe.
OH we’ve noticed this too! We have had people yelling obscenities or even honking incessantly on their horns when they come up behind us because we are actually doing the speed limit and they are not. I find it so odd that rage is on the rise as many of us really do have a better standard of living (as they say) then previous generations!
It’s very concerning Joanne, as unfortunately it can get out of hand & lead to violence.
I agree in many countries we do have a better standard of living than the generations before us.
Although, what I’ve also observed is there’s an air of entitlement that has come with that which promotes egocentric (selfish) attitudes & a disregard for others. 🤔
Such a good post for there is surely much bubbling under the surface of many. A short ride through our town will tell that same story. While much contributes to this problem, may we be wise and alert to not let it infiltrate our own souls. May we try to be patient and kind with those around us. And yes, our writing paths took much the same journey 🙂
Thank you Joanne 😊
I had a long talk with my daughter about this. She is 50 with kids 15 and 18, so we span three generations. She teaches college students. She thinks it is impulse control more than anger. She said that contemporary culture never demands any waiting at all so people don’t have the skill. They get very intense feelings and then drive to not have to wait any longer. This made sense to me.
It sounds an interesting observation Elizabeth 😊
I don’t know about Australia, but there’s definitely MUCH overwhelm in the U.S. due to some crazy political story every single day. I have to intentionally NOT consume all the news available to me because it definitely can trigger rage, and that’s not who I want to be. So I pick and choose my causes and do what I can. Thanks for the encouragement to practice the art of quietness.
You’re most welcome. I agree the news media with their sensationalist reports do trigger many to frustration & anger Lisa. I’m glad you have found your causes. 😊
So true, Jennifer. Thank you for these needed insights. Love, hugs and blessings to you!
Thank you sweet friend, love & blessings to you too! 😊
Thank you, Jennifer. Anger seems to be raging across the globe. I follow many of your sleep suggestions, but still awake early but not at 4 am as I was back in 2019.
Blessings always my friend,
Pam
Yes, it’s a global issue Pam. I’m glad your sleep has improved sweet friend❣️
Thank you for this insightful article Jennifer. It helps me as I pray for loved ones facing the overwhelm of these days! Blessings dear sister!
You’re most welcome Bettie. Praying you have a blessed week my friend 💖