The Lifeworks Group, Inc.

By Matt W. Sandford, LMHC So, I was driving into work today and I took some back roads so to speak. On the way a car in front of me had signaled to turn right and slowed down and then slowed all the way to a stop, without turning, so that they were sitting in the lane in front of me. I did what seemed wise, since no cars were coming and chose to go around them. But, as I went past the driver of this car became very upset at me and laid on his horn. He continued to stay there in the road and fumed at me as I went along up the road. It got me to wondering, “what the heck was that about?” I reviewed myself and could not think of how I had deeply offended him that would provoke this level of response. I have had my share of irate and rather crazy people on the road. I’ve had a young man get out of his car and threatened to fight me while I was pumping gas at a gas station. I’ve had a water bottle thrown at my car. I’ve had someone spit on my windshield. I’ve had a bike rider bang on...

By Chris Hammond Technically, no one can “make” you angry unless you give them that right.   While it may seem as though the actions of another person are “making you angry”, in actuality it is your set of experiences, emotions, beliefs, and ideals that cause you to get angry.   For instance, one person may become angry at being cut off while driving while another person may not even notice the action.   The difference between the two people is one person took the action as a personal offense while the other person did not.   The person cutting you off did not “make” you angry; rather you became angry because of how you perceived their action. So while another person can’t “make” you angry, you can “make” your kid angry.   Why the double standard?   Because your kid is a child and you are an adult.   With maturity comes the ability to temper or control your responses which is the idea of having “self-control”.   But for a child, they ...