The Healing Anger Newsletter brings you a refreshing, helpful and upbeat approach to anger management and how it can work for you in every aspect of your life. Here is your chance to keep up with my (Dr. DeFoore here) latest discoveries and insights on anger management and how you can heal the anger in yourself, your family, your school and your workplace.

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• What's New on AngerManagementResource.com?
• Why So Much Anger?
• What You Can Do Right Now
• Anger Management Techniques

We're going to look at the internal causes here, although I'm sure many people would point to external causes. Politics, economics, the media, and overpopulation to name but a few.

The thing is, we all face those external challenges in some form or fashion, but we don't all have anger problems. The excessive anger comes from inside, so that's where we're going to look.

• One reason there is so much anger is that it seems more powerful than fear, sorrow and the other more vulnerable emotions. And in some ways, it is more powerful.


• That's why anger is the default emotion for so many men, and for quite a few women also. It just seems stronger to get mad than to have a panic attack or break down in tears.


• Anger is the "action emotion", meaning you're more likely to take action when mad than when you're afraid or sad. While anger is in some ways strong, it often comes from fear and a sense of helplessness, and it is that fear and helplessness that spurs the often desperate action of destructive anger.


• Ultimately, anger is strongly connected to love--that's why you tend to get more angry with your loved ones than anyone else. The good news here is that one reason there is so much anger is because there is so much love.

I think this gives you an idea of why there is so much anger. It's connected to love, makes us feel strong and more likely to take action.

Of course, this doesn't solve any of your anger problems, but it does perhaps help you understand yourself and others a little better.

The action that comes from anger does not have to be destructive. You have a choice, and here are some options for you:

• Practice gratitude. Dr. Robert Emmons work had shown that gratitude actually blocks toxic emotion such as resentment and bitterness.


• Find a reason to laugh. That's right, if you can shift your mood to humor, it just might help you leave some of that anger behind. No guarantees here, but you know as well as I do how much a good laugh can help with just about anything.


• Practice empathy. Think of the people you're angry with, and do your very best to imagine the world from their viewpoint. You may not like them any better, but this could really help you to ease up on the anger some.


• Focus on the best, most positive qualities of those you're angry with. Again, this is not a quick fix, but this along with the other recommendations might really help you shift your mood and attitude.

So maybe our question needs to shift from "why is there so much anger" to "what can I do right now to make my little corner of the world a better place?"

Never underestimate the power of taking responsibility, and the freedom it will provide.

This audio CD/download/Ebook program will teach you many useful and highly effective techniques for understanding, healing and managing your anger on a daily and ongoing basis.

P.S. Why not make the rest of your life the best of your life? You can get started right now with Elegant Aging: Growing Deeper, Stronger and Wiser.

P.P.S. Did you know that I offer telephone (including Skype video phone) counseling around the world? That's right, from the comfort of your home, you can get professional counseling from me, Dr. William DeFoore. Contact us now to schedule a session!