The Five Energizing Forces of Anger

Many people think of anger as a destructive force. But, in many instances it can a be a powerful energizer. Its very strength can place the person in its throes towards chaos or solution.

When I was told I had a brain tumor, denial was my first gift. Anger became my second.

I had never been so damn mad!

Anger boiled and blistered and lashed out at others, this anger was indiscriminate. I had bitten my tongue all of my life. This time no blood was part of the equation. I was mad and was letting everybody know it.

After the hot anger boiled over, though, a colder anger took its place. That is when I began to make progress.

The energy of that cold, enlivening anger motivated me to move towards obtaining the information and outlook I would require to make a life changing decision. This came to pass in five ways.

1) Moved Out of Denial - Once anger begins to motivate, the fact is that no longer can there be a denial that something serious is taking place. Now, I knew I had a brain tumor. Like others who have faced such a situation, being told that a medical condition exists and accepting the truth of it, are two distinct entities.

2) Emotional Thinking Stops - For me, the ridiculous waste of time that is "what if" stopped. "What if I had been diagnosed sooner?" "What if I don't really need surgery?" "What if the doctor is wrong?" All of this kind of mood swinging stopped- and I became determined to find out all that I could about my condition. I am not saying I never fell back into those kinds of "what if' scenarios. I did. Often. But, it did not block me from going forward anymore.

3) Much Needed Energy is Released - Once, that hot anger turns cold, channeling the energy it produces towards finding information and getting answers from doctors, and other health care professionals becomes paramount. No patience required. Or given for that matter. Urgency becomes the only true emotion of the day. This energy also helps stave off the depression that creeps around the corners of any serious medical circumstance.

4) Humor Returns! At least it did for me. My sister, Jill, once told me there is nothing comical about a brain tumor diagnosis. While I tend to agree with her in style, I can't really in substance. No, there isn't anything funny about a condition that could possibly kill you. But, cold anger provides perspective, and at some point a type of giddiness sets in. "Is this really happening?" "Have I been walking around all this time, with a brain tumor, functioning, laughing, taking care of my grandkids, watching bad TV, with this THING in my head?" There is a sort of dark humor that sets in- and that anger is at the heart of it.

5) You Will Get the Answers You Need - Because anger has produced such determination, answers about your medical condition, the treatments you will accept or will not accept, second opinions, third opinions and support will become a part of your life. Because the power of your anger will force those components to become inseparable from the rest of your life.

Anger will effect change in the way you view your condition because it will compel you to find the answers you need, provide the energy to push for help, and will inform each and every decision you make on this journey towards survival.