I agree, evaluating the message behind the anger is important. But after recognizing it, it’s time to decide what course of action to do depending on the situation being faced. I wasn’t referring to mythology or scriptures (certainly not about turning the other cheek). But for example, the Buddha chose not to let the verbally abusive people affect his mind and chose to simply move on. Almost like refusing to accept a gift from someone… so it’s they who receive it back. In case of something like arguments with my mom, I agree that asserting myself properly is important. Once the situation is resolved, I don’t wish to keep brooding over it and letting my mood be spoiled. I mean, what’s done is done. After the thing is resolved, I feel I should forgive and keep in mind the lesson I learned from it, rather than negative thoughts towards myself or the other person.

But far from this, I’ve noticed that even something trivial like getting into an argument with some random punk in the campus for bumping into me, if I choose to ignore and move on, my inner voice calls me a coward for not fighting him or saying something abusive to provoke him. I had chosen to move on for a good reason… because that guy and incident have no importance in my life in the long run. They’re nothing but momentary. But my inner demons still won’t leave me alone and I spend time stressing over it and getting angry. Surely that is not a healthy thing. On the contrary if I return expletives to such people before going away, the inner demons may not trouble me but my conscience surely rebukes me for having behaved just like the people I dislike. How am I better than them if I act the same way? I suspect that part of the roots of my vile behaviour towards Jerry lie here too. That’s why I’m concerned.