Nick DiMaggio’s Reviews > Anger: The Misunderstood Emotion > Status Update

Managing anger depends on taking responsibility for one’s emotions and one’s actions: on refusing the temptation to remain stuck in blame and fury or silent resentment. Once anger becomes a force to berate the nearest scapegoat instead of to change a bad situation, it loses its credibility and its power. It feeds only on itself. And it sure as sunrise makes for a grumpy life.

The individualism of American life, to our glory and despair, creates anger and encourages its release; for when everything is possible, limitations are irksome. When the desires of the self come first, the needs of others are annoying. When we think we deserve it all, reaping only a portion can enrage.