“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” – Yoda
This quote from the mighty Yoda is a classic from the Star Wars franchise. It’s a somewhat modern philosophical look into how our emotions can govern so much of our being.
So what do I mean by this?
Well, in anything we are pursuing in life, creating the right mindset is key in achieving what it is we want. Conflict arises when we badly want to do something, yet are held prisoner and suffer with unresolved emotions.
Let me give you an example:
Anger is a very strong emotion, many people (including myself at one point) have channelled anger to accomplish goals and prove others wrong. Now this might seem like a good way of getting what you want at the time, using all that built up anger to drive you in your pursuit and this I do not doubt.
Yet at some point, this way of thinking, leading with and using anger to accomplish your goals will take it’s toll. One of many lyrics that has stuck with me throughout the years is “Heavy is the heart filled with anger”.
Anger can be an emotion that drives us, fuels us in the early days to do the things no one thought possible but I life built on anger cannot last and nor can it provide real meaning.
Think about it, is your meaning in life always going to be in being angry at everyone and everything for past sins? yes life can suck and it can be very hard, yet it can also be rewarding and beautiful. There comes a time where we must face into the operating system we have built for ourselves and question, does this work for me anymore?
I know it sounds like a woo woo word, but transcendence is a real possibility for all of us.
We have the power to transcend our situations, the people and events that have control over us and build a new way, one in which we can find a healthier meaning in living.
If all we do is lead with anger in everything, then we are choosing a heavy existence for ourselves. As Yoda said, fear leads to anger, anger can lead to hate and hate can lead to unnecessary suffering.
Should we not choose to reflect and lead not with anger, but instead with something that will allow us to be a better, happier and healthier human.
Finding meaning is a deep and powerful topic, one which will not be solved in a daily thought like this, yet I invite those of us harbouring anger to challenge ourselves on if this is the best way for us to live.
I’m not here to tell you what to do or provide another ” x things you can do to deal with your hate” fluffy listicle, however I will invite you to reflect on how carrying all that anger is really making you feel.
As a little advice from someone who spent way too much of his time fuelling his ambitions with the anger from days gone by, you might just want to consider where all this hate will take you in work, relationships, love and life.
For more sporadic daily thoughts like this, please subscribe to my weekly newsletter where I share insights, experiences and reflections on learning, personal development and managing the monkey mind.
You might also like
Why being authentic is probably a much better outcome than being popular
A venture capitalists honest and deeply powerful advice on the truth of life
