If you think you are saving a marriage, a job, a relationship, or anything else by suppressing a legitimate feeling of anger, you might find you are mistaken. Note I say the word ‘suppress’. You won’t be mistaken if you feel anger, realize it’s not legit, or you can see through it to understanding. But if you feel the anger, feel it is legit, hold on to it but THEN decide not to say anything, then guess what? It is very likely it will not go away. You may put it on the shelf, it’s true. But if you didn’t make peace with it in some manner, it will be there on the shelf, ready to take down and throw at a moment’s notice.
That doesn’t mean you have to rant and rave and express your anger in a mean or violent way. You can express anger calmly and with some reasoning. Often it’s best if you can do it that way. But if something is bugging you, it really is best if you let the other person know then get over it.
The last thing anyone needs is an old offense dragged out on display when it is only your inability to move on that made it come out.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily
Quote by Colin Powell, 1937- not dead yet, American Secretary of State (2001-2005)