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How can I channel my anger into positive energy

HomeForumsEmotional MasteryHow can I channel my anger into positive energy

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  • #140873
    Elisabeth
    Participant

    It took me 37 years, but I have realized that I will never have a healthy or productive relationship with my father and have ceased contact six months ago. I thought I was making some progress about forgiveness when I became angry all over again last week. I feel hurt and rejected that my father has never made me a priority in his life. I know this will never happen and that he will never be held accountable. Yet, it bothers me that so many people think he is a great person and that I am the one in the wrong for not putting my feelings aside. I know I shouldn’t care what others think, but this hurts me greatly as I have done nothing wrong. My dad is a narcissist and truly doesn’t value anyone, except those who help inflate his ego. Nonetheless, I want to work on forgiving myself for wanting a normal relationship and eventually forgiving him. I started reading a couple books by Dr. Richo and am trying meditation. I am open to other suggestions.

    #140919
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Elisabeth:

    You wrote that you want to forgive yourself “for wanting a normal relationship” with your father, as if it was a wrong for a child (and an adult-child) to want to have a loving relationship with a parent..?

    Forgiving, as in no longer feeling angry, is a process, incremental and not linear. You can be free of anger for a long time and then it returns. It doesn’t mean you have failed to forgive. It means the process is not linear. Ceasing contact with him is a good idea. If you are in contact with relatives who keep telling you that he is a great person and that you should continue to put your feelings aside, maybe you shouldn’t be in contact with them either, if they refuse to respect your position.

    From my experience, my anger toward my mother has been lessened and almost non existent now as her voice in my head (her mental representative aka the Superego in Freud terminology) stop doing her job of abusing me.

    anita

    #140985
    Elisabeth
    Participant

    I am trying to find appropriate activities to release the anger and eventually hope that the feelings will go away. Thanks for your input.

    #141059
    Brittany Irizarry
    Participant

    Hi Elisabeth,

    Dealing with a narcissistic father must be tough, exhausting, and defeating. A lot of work in establishing self-love and acceptance is needed to not let the way he treated you affect you in such a strong way anymore. While you are experiencing this anger, I would suggest creative outlets if you have some you are privy to or trying some you have always wanted to try. Also feel the pain; scream, cry, write a letter to him(that you never send). It is scary to feel the pain and I know it is easier said than done but to fully be liberated from it, it has to be felt and that core belief that he created in you that you are unworthy and that your feelings aren’t valid is just plain wrong. I also think it’d be great for you to meditate upon your heart and to tap into the love that sits inside of there waiting for you to reclaim it 🙂

    Best of luck,

    Brittany

    #141115
    Elisabeth
    Participant

    This are all really good suggestions. I’ve been journalling some lately and that has been really helpful. I have also thought about getting back into yoga and rock climbing. I need to make time for these things again and will make it a priority.

    #141119
    Inky
    Participant

    Hi Elisabeth,

    In a normal person (and yes, you are normal!) the feeling of anger is a signal that something is wrong. And believe me, your father is wrong! I have written a couple of posts about my own emotionally absent narcissistic father if you want to go in my forum history here. I have gotten many amazing responses!

    What I tell myself is this: “Wow. He missed out on so much.” Reframing the situation in this way has helped.

    And also the decision (for me) to be the Good Daughter and visit him on or around his birthday and holidays.

    He is such a narcissist I know he loves the attention, but it would never cross his mind (even randomly) to call me. Six visits/phone calls to him a year I can live with.

    And guess what? All the other people who feed his narcissism? He doesn’t call them either. And they know it. If they dropped the rope you think he would contact them? Nope!

    And lastly, I act as if I am beloved. I literally imagine God as my real father. I have a visualization where an angel hands my dad a letter written in gold saying that I am God’s child now and that dad gets to see me on certain days of the year. And that on other days he needs to get special permission to see me. My dad sputters in narcissistic rage but is too afraid of the angel to act on it.

    Remember, we aren’t set aside, we’re set apart.

    Blessings,

    Inky

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