Don't Wake The Dragon, I Don't Want To Be Angry

But I am, and often.

For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I Stay Angry

Anger isn't typically my cup of tea. I much prefer the warmth of happiness—odd, I know.

Let me put it this way: anger has its moments of usefulness, even enjoyment, though such instances are rare. When I'm caught in the competitive rush, needing that extra push or incentive to sharpen my focus? That's when I latch onto a comment from a rival, twist it around in my mind, and turn it into something that fuels me.

In my everyday life, however, anger is an unwelcome guest. Sure, I get angry, like anyone does, but I combat it with all I've got. I've become quite skilled at managing it. Yet, when anger decides to stick around, it's not because of minor irritations or chance encounters; it digs its heels in when what I perceive as a "valid reason" slips through my defenses.

It's akin to navigating through life with a small, temperamental dragon tucked away inside. This dragon is usually content to slumber, its fire banked, but certain provocations wake it, and then it's all flames and fury.

I've learned not to despise this part of me but to understand and guide it. It's not about eliminating the dragon but knowing when to let it sleep and when its fire can be put to good use.

Imagine being a blacksmith with a forge. My anger is the forge's fire—it's essential for shaping the steel, giving it strength and purpose. Yet, uncontrolled heat can ruin the metal. The art lies in maintaining the perfect temperature for forging something durable and reliable.

Therefore, anger is a tool, a natural element within me that, when used wisely, can forge resilience and clarity. It's about channeling that fiery energy, not as a destructive force but as a means to sculpt, to motivate, and to propel forward.

So, whenever that inner dragon stirs, restless and eager to unleash its fire, I remember the blacksmith and the sailor in me. I use the fire to forge my resolve, let the winds fill my sails, but always keep a firm grip on the helm, steering myself through both the tempests and tranquil waters of life.

Navigating through life's vast and unpredictable ocean, my grip on the helm sometimes falters. The reasons are as complex as the sea is deep. At times, it's the whirlpool of daily stressors, pulling me into its vortex, away from calm waters.

Other times, it's the gales of unexpected challenges, pushing against my sail with such force that maintaining direction seems an impossible feat. In these moments, the dragon within, once dormant, awakens with a vengeance, its flames stoked, spreading through my veins with an intensity that clouds my vision and judgement.

And I feel it. I feel my blood heating up. I feel it pumping through my body, sourced from the heart, all the way to the tips of my fingers. If you’re ever around me during this, you’ll see me clenching and unclenching my hands. It’s purposeful. I’m acknowledging the anger and I’m priming it. I don’t know why, really, except it feels GOOD.

When I’m not angry, I don’t enjoy it.

But when I’m pissed off, I relish the feeling.

Now I’m just waiting for a wrong move to be made.

I can’t think of anything else, I can only observe.

Time slows down, senses heighten.

I hear my heartbeat, I see in slow motion.

I’m ready.

The fire rages, seemingly untamable, until she steps in—my wife. Her presence is like a cool, soothing balm on seared skin. With just a touch, a word, or a glance, she reaches through the flames, finds the helm in my trembling hands, and helps me steady it. Her influence quenches the fiercest fires, not by dousing them but by understanding them, by being that steadfast beacon guiding me back to safer shores.

And then there are my children, those bright stars in my darkest nights. The mere act of looking into their eyes, windows to souls so innocent and pure, penetrates the toughest scales of my inner dragon, softening them into a vulnerability that I seldom allow the world to see.

In their gaze, the fire finds no fuel, only the warmth of unconditional love and trust that melts away the anger, leaving behind a sense of peace and relief. They remind me, time and again, of who I am beneath the armor and scales—just a man, flawed but fiercely protective of the treasure that is his family.

Yet, outside the sanctum of my wife and children, others tread more carefully. They, unlike my family, do not possess the same power to quell the dragon's fury. And perhaps, in the grand design of things, that's how it should be. The world beyond my door is fraught with its own dragons, and not all mean well.

It's a realm where the fire and scales serve a purpose beyond mere defense—a reminder that some lines are not meant to be crossed, some territories not to be trespassed.

I harbor no illusions about the nature of my inner dragon. Its presence is a double-edged sword, capable of both protection and destruction. But if its fire serves as a deterrent, keeping at bay those who might bring harm to my kin, then let it burn, visible in my eyes, a silent warning. I want to be the shield for my wife and children, the guardian of their peace. If that means the dragon within must remain vigilant, then so be it.

For in the end, the greatest treasure I guard is not my own tranquility but the safety and happiness of my family. They are the reason I strive to master the seas, to tame the dragon, and to navigate the storms.

With them, I find my purpose, my direction, and the strength to face whatever winds may come. They are my safe harbor, and for them, I would brave any tempest, endure any flame.

---

---

Found value in these words? Want to dive deeper into the raw, unfiltered truths of life as seen through a father's eyes?

🌟 Join the "Dad Explains" family today! Don’t Forget to share!🌟

Subscribe for free to get full access to our heartfelt, gritty, and honest explorations of life's ups and downs. Every subscription, free or paid, is a cherished support in our journey. For those who choose to contribute, know that your paid subscriptions play a vital role in keeping the quality high, helping cover costs for essential tools like Adobe and other editing software.

But more than that, your support keeps the spirit of "Dad Explains" alive and thriving, ensuring that every story, every lesson, and every piece of dad wisdom reaches you in its most authentic and polished form.

Got questions or thoughts to share? Feel free to drop a comment below or send me an email at dad@dadexplains.life. Your insights, stories, and questions are what make this community a rich tapestry of shared experiences and wisdom. Let's keep the conversation going!

Subscribe today and be a part of a community where every voice matters, every story counts, and every fatherly piece of advice is a step towards understanding the complexities of life.

---

Your support is the secret sauce in our family recipe – it's what keeps our kitchen cooking up wisdom and wackiness in equal measure.

Dad Explains – Navigating life’s twists and turns, one dad joke at a time. 🚗😄

---