The Missing Link: How Harboring Anger Wears You Down

"Don't put the key to your happiness in somebody else's pocket."

Oh how I love that quote! It implies that happiness is based on security and paints the perfect picture of the right to choose. Sometimes one can become so ANGRY over someone else's choices that it troubles one to the core. I have experienced this myself starting with my inability to lose weight when I was in a previous relationship. I didn't have time to exercise away from the office. My stress level was so elevated and internalized that my blood pressure was sky high and I GAINED weight from stress hormones; and every time I was asked about my situation it would send me into a barely-controlled tailspin of emotion. Every moment that I thought about what was going on at home the anger spilled from me. And then the most dear friend in the world told me, "Elise, you DESERVE to be happy." After so much guilt about trusting the wrong person to raise my children and run my business I had allowed the decisions and responses of that person to dictate my happiness. By taking ownership of my RIGHT to be happy I was enabled to leave that toxic relationship with my business partner/husband and give my children the chance to have a life in a loving home. I'm still occasionally triggered by memories; but the choices of another person do not govern my life anymore. It isn't about control as much as it is about one's responsibility to be intentional with their choices. Live. Laugh. Love.