The Role of Anger

Anger can be a pretty controversial emotion.  It certainly can be destructive as the myriad cases of abuse clearly show.  Many cite health risks as a result of anger.  Many religious disciplines try to teach us how to control and let go of our anger.  But what does nature teach us about anger?

In nature animals get angry all the time.  Sometimes they are in pain and will lash out at others to let them know to leave them alone.  Other times they get angry at rivals or those wishing to do them harm.  However the anger always seems to serve a purpose and is short lived.  The anger fuels adrenaline to them to take action to get a message across which is usually along the lines of don't mess with me.  It burns hot and fast and then is over with once the competition is over or the message has been delivered.  All parties continue to go about there business.  Sometimes their may be hurt feelings which can be mediated out by a third party but usually everyone understands it's momentary necessity and can work past it.  In nature it is almost like anger is a powerful weapon to be used only when necessary and not for lengthy periods of time. Kind of like a power-up in a video game that gives you extra powers to help you in the game but only lasts for a finite amount of time.  

So it seems that nature instructs us that anger isn't necessarily bad as long as it is used sparingly and for a purpose that is needed and then quickly let go.  So I try to think of anger has a hot blade.  I can hold it and use it if I absolutely need to.  It can be a useful tool to spur me on to action to address a problem but I can't hold it for too long or I will be burned so I must drop it quickly after it has served it's purpose.  Perhaps that purpose is addressing feelings I have put off or seeking justice or confronting an issue.  Whatever it may be anger can help that's why it is given to us like all emotions but like all emotions don't hold it for too long.  It's a powerful and volatile one after all.