Pausing Before the Wave: Approaching Rage with Grace
I think that's—what I've learned about [rage] is that it's an energy that is always trying to teach us how to pay attention to aspects of our emotional lives that have often been neglected or violated or what-have-you. Ruth King
Rage—the fiery emotion we’re so quick to suppress, hide, or judge—is often misunderstood. Many of us have been conditioned to view rage as inherently destructive or unwelcome. We blame ourselves for feeling it, or we avoid it altogether, burying it deep where we hope it won't surface. But what if rage isn't the enemy? What if, instead of rejecting it, we could learn to approach rage as a teacher, a creator, and even a healer?
This morning, as I walked along the beach, the sea mirrored this volatile yet profound emotion. The waves raged and crashed upon the shore, wild and unapologetic. But before engaging with this stormy sea, I paused—a moment of reflection before stepping into its unpredictable embrace. I noticed that the usual rhythm of the coast was disrupted. Birds, typically gliding overhead or skimming the water, were absent. Fishermen had kept their boats ashore, choosing safety over the tumult. The scene reminded me of how we navigate rage, both in ourselves and in others.
Rage often forces us to pause, to assess how we approach it. When someone is raging, we instinctively tread cautiously, mindful of its unpredictability. But this pause is not just caution—it’s also an opportunity for deeper understanding. Rage, like the ocean, has layers. It can be a surface reaction to immediate pain, or it can run deep, carrying emotions we’ve long neglected or suppressed. By engaging with it thoughtfully, we can uncover its roots and channel its energy into something constructive.
Far from being destructive, rage can fuel creativity. History is rich with examples of individuals who transformed their anger into art, innovation, and activism. Rage speaks to what matters most to us—it reveals our values, our boundaries, and sometimes even our deepest desires. By examining it, we learn more about ourselves and our capacity to grow.
Approaching rage healthily means learning to sit with it, to feel it without letting it consume or control us. It means creating space for expression—whether through words, movement, art, or introspection—and recognizing the lessons it holds. It also means extending grace to others who may be caught in their own storms of rage. Compassion, paired with boundaries, allows us to navigate these moments without losing our sense of self.
The raging sea this morning held a quiet beauty, a reminder that even chaos has purpose. When we honor our rage instead of suppressing it, we make room for transformation. Like the ocean waves, rage can erode what no longer serves us, carving out space for renewal.
So the next time you feel the surge of rage, pause—like I did before the waves. Ask yourself: What is this storm trying to teach me? And how can I use its energy to create, to heal, and to grow?
Peace and Blessings
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