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Coping with Anger

By Rosemary Bell

Everybody defines anger in many ways. This is how I define it:

- a strong feeling of displeasure aroused by a wrong; wrath; ire.

Writing allows me to cope with these feelings of displeasure. This writing is usually for my own benefit but I am so angry that I need others to read it this time.

I just started writing, putting a few random thoughts together and ended up feeling much better because at the end I decided I would let others read it this time and hope that someone will be touched.

So here it is:

I was absolutely stunned when a recent article received a rather poor rating. One word can say it perfectly 'dumbfounded'.

Then I became angry!

Someone put their heart and soul into writing a beautiful piece on giving to the less fortunate and then it receives a poor review.

I couldn't find enough words to praise the article that would give it justice.

Thank goodness the author is a well-seasoned writer who can look past the poor rating and deep in his heart, knows that many will be touched by his words and open their hearts at this special time of year and take action.

Reading his article brought to mind my earlier article on Random Acts of Kindness and how a special day is set aside in many communities to promote this.

Christmas is the perfect time of year to perform one of these Random Acts of Kindness, combine it with a wonderful organization (FreeCycle) and you've got something pretty amazing.

If you're not sure about FreeCycle, then please contact a local church or community group and ask them if they know of anyone who could use some help. Sit and think about it and there are others you can talk to. How about your doctor or the friendly receptionist? How many stories do they hear from parents and the troubles they're going through?

Open your hearts, and give to someone who will appreciate your unwanted items.

Read Random Acts of Kindness and FreeCycle And Give To Your Heart's Content and see what you can put together.

Contributor's Note

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season.

PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE

Things in life I find annoying
My little place to blow off some steam
whatsbuggingmetoday.wordpress.com

Thank you for sharing this this "opening of the hearts" to those less fortunate, Rosemary.
Living in a retirement community of 400 senior citizens, there is always a need close by. Add to that, the needs of the local food pantry and you can find plenty of ways to open your heart.
I did research and found a local chapter of Free Cycle in the next town, and will contact them.
Keep up the good work.
Best to you.
Frederick

Thank you for your kind comments, as always.

I can understand why you got angry.
There is an old saying "There is more pleasure in giving than receiving", and it is so true. We shouldn't need to wait for a special time of the year to do it though, we should be doing it whenever and wherever we can, from the bottom of our hearts.

Thank you Barb, ever since my childhood I've tried to live my life by the "Golden Rule" - Do unto others as you would have them to unto you.

I never expect anything in return and I've often been asked by friends why I'm helping them and giving so much of time. Because I can - I had the knowledge they didn't which made their life easier.

I like helping people.

United Way of Canada has trademarked the slogan "People Helping People" but there is another organization out there and it goes along the same line but I just can't remember it right now.

Good piece, I too use words to dissipate anger, bad when I send them in an email, good when I write an intel!

But no one should have reservations about Freecycle, it's just people - there's no hierarchy, no charitable status, no accounts or indeed flow of money, no offices, no overheads. Each local group is run by a couple of volunteers who read, vet and post members OFFERS and WANTS. Members who elect to, get daily emails listing items offered and wanted and can respond through the website by answering an email. Offerers can choose who they give their gift to, and the reason for their choice is down to them; for some it could be based on need, others might give it to the first peson who contacts them, yet others on some other criteria. There are even companies which are members in Glasgow, and when they have office furniture, computers etc. to get rid of, rather than a skip outside in the street, they give it away. I just got a UPS - Uninterrubtible Power Supply - for my home office from a firm in the Wset End of Glasgow, on Freecycle! I now feel compelled to give something away!

Peter,

Thanks you for your comment and providing so much information on how FreeCycle works in Scotland. Maybe this will entice those who were skeptical to use the service.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Rosemary

I know the article and I can hardly believe that anyone would see it in a bad light.
Still, some folk are in such a depressed state of mind that they really do not see a good side to anything.
for those I am desperately sorry, because they are missing so much that is good around them. Take time to stop and smell the Roses My Mum used to say, and she was so right.

Thank you for being a friend. It was something I had to do.
Rosemary

ALTHOUGH natural disasters, poverty, hunger, disease, and looming environmental threats dominate the news, a happier trend has also been observed - one of generosity. Celebrities are commonly seen using their fame to spotlight serious problems. Even many people of modest means contribute to a variety of causes. There is an old saying, not used often now, "Give Until It Hurts." Well, it doesn't have to hurt, just give what you can.

You gave us another worthwhile charity to support. Thank you.
All the best,
Laraine

Thanks Laraine,

It was after reading Terry's first article on FreeCycle that made me suggest it to him.

Thanks for the reminder of "Give Until It Hurts".
All the best.
Rosemary

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