Anger

The first article I read concerns anger. It emphasizes the fact that it is easy to connect anger, pain, and depression. However, the article goes on to clarify that anger is an emotion that can sometimes feel good and also inspire an individual to take action. Unfortunately, this feeling of pleasure can often be short-lived and actions derived from anger sometimes carry negative effects. The author claims that people often fail to distinguish anger from hostility. He maintains that hostility is a more enduring characteristic, a predisposition, a personality trait reflecting a readiness to express anger (Pelusi, 2003). This is different from anger because this particular emotion is normally intense and can be felt throughout the body. Anger is also confusing, it can be motivational in times of depression but it also creates a cycle of rage and defeatism (Pelusi, 2003). The article affirms the idea that anger can be taken out on others to make oneself feel better. In order to stop anger from hurting people and adding to personal depression, the author, Nando Pelusi, suggests that people identify anger and acknowledge it, build a lexicon for your internal states, view your anger as a signal, and make yourself aware of the purpose your anger serves (2003). Anger can be spurred on by personal insecurities and misunderstandings. The piece concludes by making the point that life cannot always be fair and upholding such an expectation can lead to disappointment. After rationalizing with life, one can chase other interests and transform anger into something productive.

I feel that the above information is pertinent to my life on a very personal level. The article discusses anger and the varying negative consequences it can have when not handled properly. At times I notice that I become very angry and this in turn affects not only me, but the people closest to me. This may be due to the fact that I do not always handle my anger in practical way. Through reading this article I have learned the importance of controlling and coping with anger. I must recognize when my anger is affecting the people around me and discover its source. This will ensure that I do not inadvertently damage important relationships in my life. I find myself feeling depressed following a situation in which I say or do something hurtful. This feeling only adds to my animosity and does nothing to solve the issue at hand. I no longer want to be a victim of anger and after reading this article, I believe I am better equipped to manage my emotions in a healthy and beneficial way. I have learned how to isolate feelings of rage and work through them so they do not become detrimental to me or to my relationships with others. If I can find the source of my anger and channel it in a positive manner, I feel my life will become more fulfilling and enjoyable. I am sure that this new perspective on dealing with anger will prove to be very valuable next time I feel enraged. In short, the first article was extremely helpful when applied to my day to day life.

The next article talks about the dire need for vacations. It opens with the favorable point that everyone needs a vacation in order for their body to recuperate. The author uses a quote from Joe Robinson to illustrate that people often forger the meaning of the word vacation. Mr. Robinson, the author of Work to Live: The Guide to Getting a Life says, "Americans suffer from vacation deficit disorder." Working more than any other country, without allotting paid vacations as a necessary condition of employment, the average vacation in America now numbers a pathetic three to four days (Morano, 2003). However, according to Hara Estoff Morano, China gets three weeks and Europe averages six (2003). The small amount of vacation time Americans allot themselves does not allow them ample opportunity for the mind and body to recover. The article suggests that in order to sufficiently take a vacation a person needs two weeks of non-related work time to