If you don't feel rage at this point...
In the past few years, we have all seen an increase of articles about how important it is to explore your emotions, speak up, connect with your values etc. but it will never cease to amaze me how women are still expected to eradicate key emotions from the human spectrum such as anger, frustration, or deep sadness. Society still expects women to be behave as if nothing bothers us.
Wherever you live in the world, if you don’t feel rage at how leaders have been dealing with Covid, the cost-of-living crisis, ethnic cleansing of indigenous and occupied peoples around the world then I question whether blood is pumping through your veins – honestly.
In fact, and I don’t want to fall into the trap of the "Rachida bank of research" and come up with frivolous commentary but it is obvious that the establishment has a vested interest in keeping us in line since birth starting from preschool when they teach you how to hold a baby and give little girls toys like a mini push chair. They want us to be obedient little citizens ready to pop out kids, work to pay taxes, and be too knackered to care about political affairs. There is nothing new here - the Romans did it best with their bread and circuses to keep the plebs entertained.
Here is what I find helpful to let off steam – obviously the examples are for me so substitute your own as you see fit:
- Write to my MP each week to demand that he discuss certain topic I am passionate about in Parliament. You can find their address and even letter templates online.
- Join a union and societies you are passionate about e.g. London Renters Union, Enough Is Enough, and the Palestinian Solidarity Council.
- Going for long walks or if you don’t have the time just stop at an earlier stop and walk the difference or take a different way home and enjoy a change of scenery.
- Play with your pet - they deserve and need play time.
- Log off from social media for a few hours - the relief your mind will feel is immense.
It is essential to realise that anger is part of our emotional spectrum - we should not feel ashamed of it and it can be usefully redirected to the above activities. As our dear friend Rumi said - emotions are fleeting and all should be enjoyed for what they are. This poem is really everything and more. We are trying so hard to experience “only” the good and avoid the bad but that’s not life. Every single emotion is here to teach us something, redirect us and guide us. After reading this poem I felt a wave of calmness. I hope it has the same effect on you.
The Guest House by Rumi
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
he may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.