Recognizing what not to do
If you’ve been reading my stuff, you’ve probably heard this before:
Anger is the cover story. It’s never The Thing.
Most of the time anger is what we put out so that other Humans don’t realize how scared shitless we are. Rather like a primitive self-defense mechanism to back down any would-be physical threats.
Think hackles and growls in the canine world, the bloat of a pufferfish, the rattle of a viper — nature is full of examples of Her creations who give off visual and audio warnings to those nearby when they feel threatened and afraid.
Enter Humanity. With our Id and our complex emotional baggage. On a good day, we hide our Real Feelings — even the ‘good ones’ under layers of bullshit. And we do it so well many times we can’t even figure out what we are feeling. Love and joy get deep-sixed as easily as fear and loathing.
We are taught from an early age not to express emotions. Not to ‘feel’. Not to appear ‘weak’. Even though women get a bit more of a buy on this than men — we are still warned not to look like ‘prey’ in public places.
So. We hide All. The. Things.
And fear turns to something that looks just like anger. Or worse — rage when we are completely freaked out and scared to death.
