“After The Confession”

February 26, 2010

After last week’s confession I had to rest. Interestingly, I’ve finished reading and started re-reading a Manuel on Anger Management by Richard Pfieffer as well as a book entitled “Seven: The Number For Happiness, Love and Success” by Jacqueline Leo.” They are both quite interesting and informative and give great techniques for managing anger (which by the way is a human emotion that adds depth and breathe to the human experience). Seven in particular shares many pearls of wisdom that can help one better understand life and themselves and thus position oneself to better navigate through life.

I feel compelled to share a little about what I learned about Anger. In order to manage anger one must be in touch with oneself. One must increase their own Emotional intelligence. It is good to know what pushes your triggers and causes you anger. It is doubly important to learn techniques to dispel it. Pfieffer shares a technique called Response Choice Rehearsal. This technique challenges one to do three things: 1) look at those things that make one angry, 2) to look at how one has responded and 3) examine other ways one may respond differently if given the opportunity.

One is then challenged to recreate those interactions and rehearse their response. This helps one to be aware and disciplined and gives one tools to help resolve conflict. A variety of things may cause one to be angry from mistreatment to ill health. When one has a healthy, mind, body and soul, they are better prepared to manage their anger.

The book “7” shares various facts and combinations of awareness in groups of seven. When asked to pick a number between one and ten, the majority of people pick seven. Seven is a number with which many people are comfortable. Many formulas for various degrees of success are completed within seven steps or divisions. One example is:
Unqualified Love RecognitionAcceptance ApprovalCompassion AttentionRespect

Regarding Love, Jeffrey Kluger in his Time magazine article "The New Science of Siblings (July 2006)" reveals the seven signals listed above that people give which help to forge Love.

In a married relationship these signals will serve to strengthen it by allowing a husband and wife to create intimacy. They not only help to create intimacy they help to maintain it. Every person wants Unqualified Love, Recognition, Acceptance, Approval, Compassion, Attention and Respect, especially from their helpmate.

It is my prayer that these seven signals will enhance your life and marriage. This is my confession to you this day.

-Rev. Dr. Gary A. Williams