In today’s world, we are facing a plethora of challenges – financial, societal, and environmental crises – that seem to be getting worse. As a result, many people are feeling angry – angry that pandemics are spreading uncontrollably, that waste is polluting our oceans, and that the gap between the rich and the poor is widening.
Anger can be a powerful emotion, but it can also be destructive if not handled correctly. Dr Scilla Elworthy, a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and the founder of The Business Plan for Peace, compares anger to gasoline. If you spray it out over people and then light a match, there will be an inferno. People will get hurt. But if you put it in your engine, as a fuel contained in a carburettor, it can drive you forward. It can enable you to pick yourself up when everything seems wrong.
So, how can we harness the power of anger and transform it into something positive? Dr Elworthy suggests a few trusted ways to remain aware of our anger and constantly keep it in check:
1. Watch carefully to see that the anger is not personalised. It should not be directed at an individual, but at an action or some wrong that is being done.
2. Keep the anger inside and constantly clean it. This means being aware of the anger and not letting it control you.
3. Use the anger as a driving force to take action. Instead of getting bogged down by anger, use it as motivation to do something about the problem.
In her latest book, «The Mighty Heart: How to Transform Conflict,» Dr Elworthy also emphasizes that it is important to find the source of the anger and address it directly. Instead of getting caught up in the emotions, it is crucial to focus on the underlying issue that is causing the anger.
Dr Scilla Elworthy, concludes that anger can be a powerful tool if used correctly. By remaining aware of it, keeping it in check, and using it as a driving force to take action, we can transform anger into positive power. With her extensive experience in working towards peace, she encourages
