Candy can be appealing and lends temporary energy, but is not nourishing. The same is true of anger.
Please discuss. How does this play out in life?
I’ll start us out. COVID-19 has given us plenty of targets for anger. The government isn’t doing enough/the government is doing too much. People are taking too many precautions/people arent taking enough precautions. It’s easy to find a group of people—them—who aren’t doing what we think they should, and then work up a load of righteous indignation. I certainly have my own pet frustrations and grievances.
It’s gratifying to indulge in anger. It sets off a biochemial emotional reaction that can be addictive. The anger seems warranted—and it may be—and it can even lend a temporary burst of determination and spur me to action. The short-term energy needs to be replenished by more anger, which feels good. A cycle of hunting for outrage targets can be established.
If I want to energize myself in a sustaining way, my motivation needs to arise from emotions around what I do or don’t do. Does a particular course of action feel good and right to me or not? This will help me build a future that nourishes me.
How about you? What is motivating you and do you feel it is sustainable?