Happy is the person who can spend a day without ever feeling anger. The elderly, who have mellowed and gained wisdom with age, know that anger doesn’t provide solutions, though it will take me some time to arrive at such an awareness of things.

There are two types of anger, namely the “personal grudge” and “moral indignation.” The former has an object––a person, event or targeted thing––so it is a “tangible” phenomenon that will eventually calm down as it’s slowly absorbed by the heart. To deal with anger, there are people who scream, throw something, or seek out a soul mate to complain to. But I don’t have anyone to yell at or any cheap china to smash on the floor. No matter how loud I shout, the only thing I will hear is the echo of my own voice. So the only way is to talk to myself. I remember an old woman in my neighborhood once saying to me: “Keep some chipped saucers and cups, one day they will come in handy.” She seemed to be having difficulty with human relationships, especially with her husband and daughter-in-law.

In comparison, moral indignation is more difficult to cope with. No matter how indignant you are about a social or moral injustice, no solution may be available. You are unable to grasp the true identity of the evil, which is intangible. Considering my age, I have no time or strength to spare, unlike the younger generation, to take to the streets and protest loudly. My quiet resistance might be to stay away from the TV and newspapers for a while. Putting some distance between yourself and the mundane world can enable you to see more clearly.

I admire and envy the journalist who can exercise the power of the pen. We are living in a society filled with injustice, discrimination, and absurdity. But if a journalist can strike a chord with his readers, a glimmer of hope may emerge through his denunciation of society’s evils.

It wasn’t until I reached my present age that I understood the best ways to calm my anger: slim down my relationships; want less; try to grasp the meaning behind the words people mouth; and accept the truth that there can be no rose without a thorn. We have the means to control unruly anger by applying the wisdom of experience.

If there is one good aspect to anger, it is that you still have the power and energy to vent it. The time will surely come when you are unable to be angry. Until then, try to maintain a normal blood pressure; stay calm. Please do not eat too much in an attempt to reduce your stress, and so become diabetic.

I want you to take good care of yourself.