Frontal Lobotomy

I've never met a person who wants to have a frontal lobotomy. This procedure turns you into a zombie and robs you of the essential elements of being a human being. However, many of us, if not all of us at one time or another, give the procedure to ourselves. We do it with an emotion that we call "anger." Think back to the time that you were really angry. It doesn't matter whether your anger was justified or not. Think about your state of mind while your anger ran through your system. During my years as a criminal defense attorney, I could not help but notice how often my clients charged with murder had a problem with anger. Like a car with no brakes, these folks seemed to be unable to control the extent that anger overcame judgement. In many cases this condition was facilitated by alcohol or drugs, but not in every case; some people had this problem when they were sober. While you were angry did you say something that you later regretted? While you were angry did you do something physical that you later regretted? If honest with ourselves, most of us will answer in the affirmative. Those that answer in the negative should apply to the Pope for sainthood. Can our religious point of view help with anger? Can it allow us to control anger much better than we do at present? The Gnostic answers those questions with a resounding, "Yes." I am not suggesting that anger does not have its place. After a Pearl Harbor or a 9/11, anger is clearly justified. There is an old saying that revenge is best eaten cold. I believe that to be good advice. However justified anger might be, it is best to apply your answer to the provocation after you have had sufficient time to cool down. There are only a few cases where actions need to be taken immediately. Most situations allow for a cool down period. We are foolish if we do not take them. Road rage is a good example of what I am talking about. That fool that cut you off and almost caused an accident needs to be immediately admonished. Not! If that fool did not cause an accident let it go; he or she might very well have an accident in their future by the manner in which they drive, but there is nothing you can do about it except be thankful that you were not a participant in that accident. If you want to help out, pray for the individual; God has far more authority over that person's driving than you do. And if you do give in to your anger, what can you do that does not make the situation worse. If you call out the person to pull over, you are committing a crime. There's a good chance that you will commit another one when the person does not show you the proper respect for your outrage. It may come as a surprise, but the Judge and the Prosecutor will not be sympathetic to your plight. Many otherwise good people have found themselves in prison for just this sort of activity. Many others have found themselves as victims of this crime, some even dead as a result. I use this example but there are many others. I urge all of you to put two words into your vocabulary while you are driving. They are simple and easy to follow if you allow them into your consciousness. "CHILL OUT!" The Gnostic says that they are good advice no matter what you are mad at. It could be your spouse; your child; your boss; the person who cuts into the line; the fool who roots for the wrong team; or any other common complaint. They are all the same. Keep those two words in mind, drunk or sober, and your life will far more fruitful and pleasant.