"عندما تغضب عد إلى أربعة عندما تكون غاضبًا جدًا اشتم"

Anger can be a tough beast to tame, right? The idea here is pretty straightforward: when you're feeling that familiar heat rising, take a moment to pause. It’s like giving yourself a quick timeout to avoid doing something you might regret. Now, if the anger is off the charts, sometimes letting out a good old-fashioned curse word can release the pressure.

This piece of advice comes from Mark Twain, a guy known for his sharp wit and wisdom wrapped in humor. He lived in the 19th century—a time when expressing emotions was a bit more buttoned-up than today. Twain, with his knack for cutting through the nonsense, suggested a practical way to handle anger without causing a scene or damaging relationships.

Let’s bring it to life with a real-world scenario. Picture yourself in a tense meeting at work. Your boss just took credit for your idea. You can feel your blood boiling. If you explode, you risk looking unprofessional and damaging your career. So, you take Twain’s advice: you inhale deeply and count to four. In those few seconds, the initial surge of anger subsides. You decide it’s not worth the immediate confrontation—maybe you’ll address it later when you’ve cooled down.

But let’s say you’re at home, and your roommate has once again eaten your leftovers. You’re livid. This isn’t just a one-time thing. You’re seeing red. This is when you might let out a frustrated “Damn it!” The act of swearing can actually help release some of that pent-up rage, making it easier to then have a rational conversation about boundaries and respect.

So how can you use this wisdom in your daily life? It’s all about the pause. When anger flares up, take those few seconds to count. It’s like hitting the brakes on a runaway train. This isn’t just to stop you from acting out but also to give your brain a moment to catch up and think. For those moments when you’re beyond angry, swearing (in appropriate settings) can act as a release valve, letting out some steam before you address the issue head-on.

Imagine you’re stuck in traffic, running late for an important appointment. Someone cuts you off. Your heart’s pounding, and you just want to scream. Instead of laying on the horn or yelling at the windshield, you count to four. By the time you hit four, you might realize that honking won’t get you there any faster. Maybe you mutter a curse under your breath, and hey, you feel a tiny bit better. You’ve diffused the immediate tension, and now you can focus on the road.

Remember, it’s not about suppressing anger but managing it. We all get angry—that’s just part of being human. The trick is to handle it in a way that doesn’t end up causing more trouble. So next time you feel anger rising, try Twain’s method. Give yourself those precious seconds, and if needed, let out a little curse. It might just save your sanity—and your relationships.