Save a Life by Overcoming Anger

Sometimes Anger Feels Good

Anger can feel darned good sometimes, especially when someone did something wrong. This is an admission most of us use to justify our anger but are we willing to weigh the cost for a life? Let me tell you my story.

I recall an instance with my younger brother, who was always in trouble and on drugs. He was a real disappointment to our family. He really made me angry. I had tried to help him financially, and I convinced my Dad and another brother to help him.

My Brother

My brother used the money for drugs instead of getting his impounded truck out so that he could work. I made up my mind that I was NEVER going to help him again.

Fast forward a year later, I was sitting in my office. It was during the six-year period where I worked recruiting partners. I only accepted partners with $1 Million plus business for AM 100 law firms throughout the US.

I was minding my own business when I got this thought; it was almost like a voice.

It said, “Call your brother and tell him that you know of a place where he can get sober.” I immediately shook that off as a stupid idea.

The next day the same thing happened. The voice was a little louder. I spoke out loud to this ridiculous idea. “No way I’m going to help him again!”

The third day as I was working at my computer, the voice repeated it, “Call your brother. Tell him that you know a place where he can get sober.” Irritated, I said to myself, “Okay! Okay!”

I picked up the phone called my brother. I said, “If you ever want to get sober, I know of a place that you can get sober here in Florida.” He immediately said, “I’m ready.”

The thing is, I didn’t even know of a place he could get sober. Telling him I would check around and try to find a place, I called someone who might know. However, we played phone tag for two weeks and never talked.

I forgot about the entire idea of helping my brother until my phone rang. It was my brother, and he asked me, “I thought you said there was a place I could get sober?”

“Oh!” I said. “Let me find a place.” I took my lunch hour and found a place for him. I got him a flight down here. Long story short, my brother has been sober for over fourteen years. I had to let go of my anger, and it probably SAVED HIS LIFE.

I use my brother’s story as a reference point to my clients and how anger would have beclouded my judgment to help my brother. Sometimes we might not be happy with specific circumstances that surface in our lives, but we just have to keep pushing until we get the desired results.

Before you write someone off or refuse to forgive them, think about my story. You may have a change of heart.