Getting Angry

[3rdcoast_slope]

Man it happens a lot lately. I was at a check-out at a big box store and the guy in front on me was standing a huge distance from the next person in-line. He didn’t have a mask on so I asked if he was in-line. He stated “ I don’t like to get close to people.” I know the face I made was one that caught him off guard. It was one of shock, anger, and confusion. He said “ you know with Covid” and then my look went to straight anger. We had an awkward pause and then he said I could go in front of him…. and I gladly did. I will not reward stupidity. It was awkward especially when his wife and daughter came by and gave him a hug after walking around the store with people in it…
Another super hot chick who was n95 masked along with her little kids at a packed store. I didn’t do it on purpose, but my anger just came out and it was a dirty look and shake of the head. She totally saw me lol.

I realized that this anger wasn’t going to end well. I now try and talk to people about it and just sit back and watch the show when I’m angry. Nothing good comes out of anger/rage immediately, but using those emotions to understand what you are thinking is helpful.

Focus on your family, friends, finances, training, improving your situation, or simply chilling (meditating or whatever you like). Its okay to lay around and be mad sometimes. Just like the officer told me, “as long as you do it at home, we wont have any problems.”

[Kitsuma]

My Dad read this to me a few times when I was a child/teenager...typically when he knew I was about to lose my shit on another kid.

Remaining strong AND calm is part of being a man.

I pull this poem out whenever I forget that (often these days):
If -- by Rudyard Kipling

Being a man among childish adults can be very satisfying. I can say this here: size and strength help with the overall effect.

[dalan]

not sure if this is where others have read it but its an excellent piece. Up there with "it is not the critic who counts"

Men Who Wanted to Be Left Alone

Thank you.

[Mark Rippetoe]

My Dad read this to me a few times when I was a child/teenager...typically when he knew I was about to lose my shit on another kid.

Remaining strong AND calm is part of being a man.

I pull this poem out whenever I forget that (often these days):
If -- by Rudyard Kipling

Being a man among childish adults can be very satisfying. I can say this here: size and strength help with the overall effect.

I don't think Kipling would mind if we posted it here. I'd like to think he'd read this board.

If—
BY RUDYARD KIPLING
(‘Brother Square-Toes’—Rewards and Fairies)

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

[John Fioravanti]

I don't think Kipling would mind if we posted it here. I'd like to think he'd read this board.

If—
BY RUDYARD KIPLING
(‘Brother Square-Toes’—Rewards and Fairies)

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
…
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Toxic masculinity, par excellence.