Why the “Worst” People, Places & Things that makes Us So Darn Mad – Step 4

Cartoon man literally painting himself into a corner w/ sfz title

“People and things do not upset us, rather we upset ourselves by believing that they can upset us.” – Albert Ellis (1913 – 2007) U.S. psychologist on resentments

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What resentments do you hold over people, places or things, lately?

OR

How can I face my anger so it does not control me?

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A Few of My Favorite Things – Julie Andrews (2:34)

Get Happy in 5 minutes (4:30)

Happiness Hypnosis Hz Meditation (9:29)



Analysis

Today’s SFZ discusses the nature of anger and resentment. In It Works, How & Why, we face our anger. We see that our resentments often come from our own choices. Viktor Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning, taught that we choose our response to suffering. Like Frankl, this step asks us to own our part.

The 12 & 12 quote pushes us to fight fear and pride. These become ghosts when we shine truth on them. Søren Kierkegaard wrote about facing despair directly. He argued that truth sets us free. We see the same idea here: honesty chases away our mind’s shadows.

Albert Ellis reminds us that our minds shape our pain. In A Guide to Rational Living, Ellis explained that beliefs drive emotions. If we think people upset us, we feel powerless. If we see our power, we free ourselves. These ideas tie together. We must name our resentments. Challenge pride and fear. And own our thoughts.

This process is freedom work. It brings light to dark places. We do not blame others forever. Instead, we stand up, look inside, and grow. Frankl, Kierkegaard, and Ellis show us that we hold the key. Each quote shows the same truth: our minds create our chains or our wings.


SFZ Quotes Translated into Spanish

“Enumeramos las personas, lugares, valores sociales, instituciones y situaciones contra los que sentimos ira. Examinamos no solo las circunstancias que rodean estos resentimientos, sino que miramos la parte que jugamos en ellos.” (Funciona, Cómo y Por Qué, p. 30)

“… el testimonio de los miembros de A.A. que realmente han intentado un inventario moral es que el orgullo y el miedo de este tipo resultan ser fantasmas, nada más. Una vez que tenemos la disposición completa de hacer el inventario y nos esforzamos por hacer el trabajo a fondo, una luz maravillosa cae sobre esta escena nebulosa.” (12 y 12, p. 49)

“Las personas y las cosas no nos alteran, más bien nosotros mismos nos alteramos al creer que pueden alterarnos.” — Albert Ellis (1913–2007)


Análisis y pregunta traducidos al español

Cuando leemos estas citas, vemos un patrón de lucha humana y libertad. En Funciona, Cómo y Por Qué, enfrentamos nuestra ira. Vemos que nuestros resentimientos vienen de nuestras propias elecciones. Viktor Frankl, en El Hombre en Busca de Sentido, enseñó que elegimos nuestra respuesta al sufrimiento. Como Frankl, este paso pide aceptar nuestra parte.

La cita de 12 y 12 nos impulsa a enfrentar miedo y orgullo. Se vuelven fantasmas cuando iluminamos la verdad. Søren Kierkegaard escribió sobre enfrentar la desesperación directamente. Él argumentó que la verdad nos libera. Aquí vemos lo mismo: la honestidad aleja las sombras de la mente.

Albert Ellis nos recuerda que la mente moldea nuestro dolor. En Una Guía para Vivir Racionalmente, Ellis explicó que las creencias impulsan emociones. Si pensamos que otros nos alteran, nos sentimos sin poder. Si vemos nuestro poder, nos liberamos. Todo se conecta. Debemos nombrar resentimientos. Debemos desafiar orgullo y miedo. Y debemos adueñarnos de nuestros pensamientos.

Este proceso es trabajo de libertad. Trae luz a lugares oscuros. No culpamos a otros para siempre. Nos levantamos, miramos dentro y crecemos. Frankl, Kierkegaard y Ellis nos muestran que tenemos la llave. Cada cita revela la misma verdad: nuestra mente crea cadenas o alas.

¿Cómo puedo enfrentar mi ira para que no me controle?

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Comments

7 responses to “Why the “Worst” People, Places & Things that makes Us So Darn Mad – Step 4”

  1. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    First I would pinpoint the fear then after recognizing it I would figure out the root cause. Fear stands for two different things….F.E.A.R…
    Forget everything and run or.
    Face everything and recover
    However, the word forget is usually replaced by another word…

  2. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    I laughed while thinking about this question today as my resentments have been about institutions that are slow to honor their obligations. I laughed as the reflection turned inward and know that while in my addiction, I too was slow to honor obligations.

    Some time ago I realized that everything mirrors. And when I experience something that causes me to be upset, the truth is that it is because I experience something with myself that I am not happy with.

    There have been long durations of time when I have been very healthy in mind, body and spirit. During those times, and in the ones to come, there is a peace that is unflappable. So when I am given the opportunity to have a resentment, I know that there is still work to be done.

    Thank you for the opportunity to grow. I am grateful.

  3. daniel mosqueda Avatar
    daniel mosqueda

    what upsets me about people that they forget how you was there in there need wether it was money food loan or a ear to listen to them whenever and they cant see there wrong in nothing but yours even you might not even have a part in it they still find u at fault

  4. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    I’m upset I didn’t get the house I was hoping for so I find myself obsessing over it. Angry at my agent for not helping me make the right offer. I just keep reminding myself I have a home now which many don’t have. And to even be able to buy a home is a blessing. Not sure the sting will go away until find another. And then I’m annoyed by every person I run into saying, “well, it just wasn’t meant to be.” Thanks for trying to be helpful. Oh well, I’ll get over it.

  5. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    Sometimes I sit in a meeting and feel a giant resentment growing in me. I am learning to just sit with y feelings and know them to be the pretenders they are. They reveal my fear to me. They reveal my own insecurities – my own feelings of being unloved and unlovable. I sometimes go so far as to remember that I have a loving Higher Power and that at all points in time I am exactly where I am supposed to be. When I can put my fear aside, I get to see my own harsh judgment of myself.

  6. brita Avatar
    brita

    Only from being in AA can I now appreciate the happiness and lightness of the Julie Andrews song. I had to sing it for my first voice class at 13 years old – I was so sad then 🙁 Great song!

    1. Jb jr. Avatar
      Jb jr.

      I was hoping someone would comment on that song. I also like how the video visually plays along with the song. It makes me happy. Demonstrating gratitude for our “favorite things” in song is a lovely way to pick up our mood.

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