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07 March 2011

I'm NOT Going to Teach You a Lesson

"It is a spiritual axiom that every time we are disturbed, no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with us. If somebody hurts us and we are sore, we are in the wrong also. But are there no exceptions to this rule? What about “justifiable” anger? If somebody cheats us, aren't we entitled to be mad? Can't we be properly angry with self righteous folk? For us... these are dangerous exceptions.  We have found that justified anger ought to be left to
those better qualified to handle it
."
Anonymous, "12 Steps and 12 Traditions" (emphasis added)

   I'm angry about rising taxes today.  I want to start my own tax revolt.  I want to start a revolution, storm the political palaces, demand immediate reform and threaten violence... and then I remember...

"When we speak or act hastily or rashly, the ability to be fair-minded and tolerant
evaporates on the spot. One unkind tirade or one willful snap judgment can ruin our relation with another person for a whole day, or maybe a whole year. Nothing pays off like restraint of tongue and pen. We must avoid quick-tempered criticism and furious, power-driven argument. The same goes for sulking or silent scorn. These are emotional booby traps baited with pride and vengefulness. Our first job is to sidestep the traps. When we are tempted by the bait, we should train ourselves to step back and think." 
Anonymous, "12 Steps and 12 Traditions" 

   The need to sit on my hands and keep my mouth shut arises much more often than I'd like.  In fact, I don't like it at all.  I'd prefer to never practice restraint, and that's at least part of the reason I need to do just that.
   I have no lessons today to teach anyone, but I have a lot to learn.  I've got a lot of growing up to do, in part because I've chosen to avoid the things that might have helped me grow up in the past.  Things like hard work, pain, and yes, patience, tolerance, and kindness.