Aftermath

If you are like me, this week's special election has left you with a crippling political hangover. All voices sound a little shriller and you find yourself listening for the hidden meaning in everything--even the weather report, or a request to pass the salt. You bark when answering the phone, and don't stop to correct your typos when making stream of consciousness comments on the blogs of imagined foes. Or maybe that's just me. But the tone has been pretty angry, and anger takes its toll.

 

In saner times, I am fond of an anecdote from the Muslim tradition where a man seeks the advice of the Prophet on how to live a spiritual life. He says, "Don't be angry." Pressed for more advice, the Prophet repeats, "Don't be angry." In seeking to track this anecdote down online to its original source, I found various versions, but I also happened upon this further spiritual instruction:

Three ways to control your temper and anger:

1. Say ta'awuz (ask for protection from the devil)
2. Do wudu (ritual cleansing) or drink water
3. Lie down on the floor

 I can attest to the effectiveness of number three. I can no longer see the monitor, or reach the keyboard.