State of Unrest

As a psychotherapist, one thing that I often encounter is the misconception that there is no place in people's lives for anger.  As a normal human being, I frequently struggle with that inside my own mind and soul as well.  Of course I get angry, and often too easily and over trivial things.  At the end of the day, when I'm trying to analyze my own responsibility for my actions and reasons for my feelings, I can't help but ask myself, "What would the world truly be without anger?"  There would have been no American Revolution, no Civil Rights Movement, no Women's Rights Movement, and on a daily basis in our ordinary lives, no display of infuriation over someone victimizing the innocent.  That's exactly what, in fact, the concept of "Creative Extremist" means to me.  As we look around the world at the overal state of unrest (which is in many cases a tremendous understatement), we see the benefits and the toxicity of anger encompassed. 

To once again quote Dr. King, "The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be...  The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists."  Extremism is admittedly one of the most dangerours things that can be embraced.  The word itself is used today to describe some of the most horrific acts of terrorism that have been experienced.  When taken back to it's original definition without the colors that have been painted over the word almost to the point at which that word becomes unrecognizable, we can again look at Dr. King's quote with more simple objectivity.  I can't help but believe that a certain amount of anger exists within his idea.  The trick is in how to direct it.  When used "creatively," that is to say, in an effort to honestly problem solve, we are able to "create" solutions.  I am certain there are times to stand up and clarify that things are being done that are absolutely unacceptable and harmful.  When doing so, this is often called having "passion."  This passion, when accompanied with respect for self and others, is the true catalyst for positive change.

I look around me in my own life, in the lives of those with whom I come in direct contact, and in the lives of those I don't even know throughout the world.  Today I reflected more than usual on how very difficult things are for so many people, of course to varying degrees and circumstances.  It's that fire of passion within us that motivates us to make improvements and to, piece by piece, day by day, change the world.  Making the biggest impact, ironically, happens when we seek out ways to change our own lives and to make change happen for those in our communities first.