Managing Anger is important
Life is never really fair. After babysitting, raising our children, fostering several children, and now working with orphans and children in foster group homes; managing anger is something we need to deal with regularly. In my experience over the last 20 years, it’s the food and the attitude that help us best manage anger.
Every week I volunteer at a local orphanage. It’s been over two years at this current location, and I have established a relationship with the kids (and staff). Last night we talked about the importance of managing anger. There is an issue with rage as with any of us. After fostering and volunteering for 10 years in the foster system, I finally realize that the anger that every family deals with is heightened with these kids.
Remember, these kids had extreme situations occur in their youth that, through no fault of their own, has placed them into the care of the State. They have 3 different parents in the span of a day, due to the staff only working 8 hours each in a 24 hour day. Plus the children resent anyone helping because they just want to be home, even if home is a dangerous place. This tends to create a blatant case of anger.
Getting Real
Because our construction company, BLUMESTONE, and my cookbook, “Real Food Recovery”, provide lots of healthy goodies for the kids, I’m a welcome guest. I take the opportunity to speak encouragement and life into these kids ranging from 18 months to 15 years old. We discuss the importance of the foods we choose to put into our mouths and hopefully empower each child to make great decisions for their body and health.
Last night at the orphanage, we talked about the importance of managing anger. As they have heard many times, the health of our gut affects our attitude. Therefore, we need to keep our intestines clean. In kid language, we want the “good” bugs to be more than the “bad” bugs in our gut.
Any fermented food or cultured food is a great way to repopulate our guts on a daily basis. It is customary in my southern upbringing and in the studies of Dr. Weston A. Price to incorporate these ferments with our meals.
Also, there are known components to foods, such as turkey that assist in relaxation.1
Therefore, a simple snack and conversation equips each kid to try this protein snack as well as the water kefir that tastes like kool-aid. It’s fast food and a balanced snack to boost the immune. Foods are much more absorbable than pills, so every week we try new foods.
Additionally, we discuss how important it is to express yourself in a calm manner and state that you are angry. Preventively, saying it quickly and gently can divert the implosion of keeping all the anger “bottled up” inside. I realized years ago and remind myself daily that it is better just to say it and move on. It allows a healthier conversation, and sometimes, the problem can even be addressed, discussed amicably, and resolved.
In my experience, if I state my emotion before it grows and lingers, it prevents me from saying or doing something I can regret. Being vulnerable and sharing with the kids this process of managing anger, enables them to see that we all must deal with difficulty. Hopefully, my vulnerability helps them to handle life a little better.
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