Unlike my cohorts, I’m no psychologist. but I suppose my fascination with the human condition, and our complex emotions, makes me a pseudo-expert wannabe. In an early post we cover the fear that drives us. Recently I had an argument with my spouse about sending the wrong parenting message to our daughter and realized that anger can be a big motivator for me. Sure it’s unfocused and sometimes just plain messy. Yet it’s a big factor in changing the status quo.
Think about all of the media in war torn countries or oppressive regimes about angry activists. What Comes to mind? Lives lost shamelessly. Seemingly pointless surges of disorganized action that lead nowhere. Uncivil engagement that leads to riots and retaliation. Pain and loss begets more pain and loss.
And yet… Hope is also humming in the air. Sometimes it takes anger to get to the next place, and hopefully it’s an improvement.
After a few tears, and several conversations in my head, I resolved the importance of having anger, and managing it. I want my daughters to be fiercely independent (and yet I can’t understand why they don’t listen to their parents).
Time to motivate with patience, not anger.
Agent C leads parenting workshops for motivating children with skill and grace. Let’s get those on our calendar!
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