What would happen if we were able to harness the energy that accompanies the feeling of anger? Could there be some hidden benefits that might show up if we could harness the power for good?
Some recent studies say yes.
Harnessing the Energy of Anger
These studies link anger and creativity. At least in the beginning of the anger experience, ideas seem to flow more freely and tend to be more original.
Anger Gives You a Creative Boost: Scientific American.
As you have read here before, the feeling of anger isn’t a bad-boy emotion that always ends in disaster. As a matter of fact, feeling anger is simply a given in life. We all experience it. If, for a moment, you’ll let me divide the world up into two kinds of people, I will say this. There are only two kinds of people in the world. There are people who get angry and there are people who lie about it, either to themselves or others.
What would happen if, the next time you experience anger, you take a moment to actually explore what is happening. Step away from the blaming, comparative, judgmental thoughts – we all have them, don’t worry, it’s normal – and actually experience the experience of being angry.
Then take a pen and paper and concentrate on making a list of ideas for some project that has you stuck. I wonder if some of the ideas you come up with will be more original, more creative, or at least, something you haven’t thought of before.
Anger can focus the brain’s resources. Maybe all we have to do is change the target!
