This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Channeling harmful and explosive energy into a safe deposit box
Whenever Abraham Lincoln felt the urge to tell someone off, he composed a letter compiled of his thoughts and emotions. Once he was done spilling his beans out on paper, he would destroy the letter.
He never sent out the letter, no matter how angry, frustrated, or stressed he felt towards someone else. He practiced tremendous stoicism, self-discipline, and self-restraint in doing this.
What people say to us, how people respond to us, and what people do to us can affect us positively or negatively. However, we don’t need to allow people to affect us so strongly that we give them our peace of mind and act belligerently.
Don’t Allow Others To Abuse Your Mind
Unfortunately, many of us willingly permit others to abuse our minds, peace, and souls.
If a person gave away your body to some passerby, you’d be furious. Yet you hand over your mind to anyone who comes along, so they may abuse you, leaving it disturbed and troubled – have you no shame in that? (Epictetus)
Instinctively, we protect our physical selves. We don’t let people touch us, push us around, control where we go. But when it comes to our minds, we’re less disciplined. We hand it over willingly to social media, to television, and to what other people are doing, thinking, or saying. (The Daily Stoic)
All of the perceived negative experiences we face provide us the opportunity to respond productively or reproductively.
We don’t have to be offended or affected by any of the things that come our way. We can allow these things to simply be.
Reading deeply into situations is often costly to our time, health, and peace. It’s hard not to be affected by life, but it’s highly productive to let situations that could harm our sanity slide right off us like water.
Feel Then Release
It’s okay to FEEL angry, upset, frustrated, stressed, bitter, and irritated; these feelings are normal. However, when these feelings pop up, it doesn’t mean we need to hold onto the feelings forever. The longer you hold onto feelings such as these, the more power they have to erode your life.
Notice Abraham Lincoln didn’t ignore his anger and frustration. Instead, he acknowledged them. He felt and addressed everything he possibly felt before destroying (releasing) the energy.
A problematic route many take-ups is releasing their explosive or negative energy right away. It is much easier to be reactive vs. proactive.
It takes much discipline and skill to steady yourself, slow your response, and retreat until you’re in your right mind again.
When we are angry, we tend to experience temporary insanity. We don’t think effectively. Think about it: The last time you lashed out at someone or responded unproductive and reactive, what did it accomplish? I think we all know the answer to this? Nothing. There are very few times where lashing out accomplishes anything.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.