Seneca wrote a whole book on anger because he knew how it burns the one who holds it. Anger feels powerful, like it's protecting you. But it clouds your judgment, says things you can't unsay, and leaves you more shaken than the thing that sparked it. He didn't say to swallow it or pretend you're not hurt. He said to see anger clearly, as a fire that scorches its own house first. Often the slight you're furious about was carelessness, not cruelty, and the person has already moved on while you're still burning. Choosing calm isn't weakness or letting them win. It's refusing to pay, with your own peace, for something they did.

Inspired by the old idea of anger harms the angry. Written by Ugo Charles.