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Emotions

Definition: The strong immediate reactions that you feel in response to an experience.

Emotions are interesting because they can be both good and bad. They are Amoral, they have no predestined lean towards good or bad. The two most directly related emotions for self defense are Anger and Fear.

Anger definition: strong feeling of displeasure that can range from annoyance to rage.

Your anger is your own learned response to a situation. Just as people are not born racist, people are not born angry. Babies only cry to communicate. Children are usually happier more than anything else. It’s only when they learn about anger that they begin to express it. “What adults might see as anger, a very young baby (under 6 months) feels as the sensations of an unpleasant state -- he could be wet, hungry, or tired, for example.” (Parents). Similarly, fear also takes a while to develop. “Fear is not an instinct, it is something that babies learn as they develop a memory." Without the ability to remember things -- such as what situations and people are familiar “ (Parents).

Suggested ways of managing anger:

Recognize your anger and that of others.

Be understanding with the person expressing anger.

Always listen carefully to what an angry person is saying.

Try to express respect along with anger.

Notice your reactions, especially your physical ones.

Focus your attention on the present problem.