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

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