Hate

"Hating people is like burning down your house to get rid of a rat"

Harry Emerson Fosdick

Anger is a feeling.

The feeling of anger arises in you when you think someone has hurt you. An anger response lets that person know you are upset with what they have done.

The problem is when we mix anger with overly protective behaviours such as aggression or thought patterns such as hatred.

Hatred is a protective action (i.e. defence) we use when we have given up on working together, reconciliation, and re-connection. When I feel hatred, I want distance and disconnection, from what has happened, how I think and feel, and the people who I am angry with. Hatred also tends to keep my anger trapped inside of me.

Hatred does not solve problems. Our defensive responses can often hurt us more than they help us.

If we take the path of allowing anger, being honest and acting assertively, then we have the chance protect ourselves, be heard, and to re-connect.