“All anger stems from fear.” – Anonymous
This quote engendered a lot of debate when I first drew the napkin back in 2000. My daughters and friends all got into thinking this through. Is it really true? I tend to think it is.
The key is to take the question far enough back from the anger.
For example, Here is a statement; ‘I am angry because my husband didn’t come home on time.’ How is that rooted in fear? Well, perhaps the wife is worried (fear) that something happened to him, an accident. Perhaps she is anxious (fear) that he is having an affair. Perhaps she is upset because some dinner plans are now delayed. Because they are delayed she fears that the people they have made the dinner plans will be angry themselves, or inconvenienced or…..
You get the point. so, as an exercise do this. Think about what last made you angry. And step it back until you can find the root of fear that led to the anger. It might take one step, it might take 20, who knows. Maybe you won’t find it, but I bet you will.
Share with us if you come up with any interesting revelations about this.
Drawing © 2022 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com