When someone gets angry at us, if we just listen, we will hear the lesson that this person has come to give us. We have a certain responsibility for their anger, so we cannot say, "Oh, it is just their problem." On the other hand, regarding others' anger, it is just a lesson for us to learn, so taking on their anger and making it the end of the world will have us miss and important opportunity. Being aware and using every opportunity, no matter how negative, helps us to grow. If we let it, this anger will awaken us to something about which we were asleep, something that would help us move forward.

Today, Do not fight against anger. Do not run away from it; rather listen to see what truly applies to you. Use the anger as an opportunity for self-examination; the anger may be entirely misplaced, yet it can still serve to get you in touch with something that is vital to you. Someone's anger focused on you can help you to find an area of self-attack that you are called to let go of.

Excerpt from It It Hurts, It Isn't Love and 365 Other Principles to Heal and Transform Your Relationships by Chuck Spezzano, Ph.D.