When you look at the picture above, what do you see? Something beautiful? Something dangerous? Maybe you see a new adventure. Well, the picture above is a picture of Mt Mayon, one of the most active volcanoes in the Albay province, Philippines. The volcano is famous for its shape and magnificent views. While this volcano is known for its beauty, its also known for its destructive side. In the last 500 years, the volcano has erupted 50 times. On January 24, 2017, the volcano erupted again. The last eruption took place almost 25 years ago in 1993.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a volcano is defined as the following:
- A vent in the crust of the earth or another planet or a moon from which usually molten or hot rock and steam issue; also: a hill or mountain composed wholly or in part of the ejected material
- Something of explosively violent potential
Volcanoes are just a natural way the Earth cools off and releasing internal heat and pressure. I normally internalized a lot of things including feelings, words, actions and most things life throws my way. It’s just my natural reaction to keep things inside like many other people in the world. Like many others, I never really talked about it and eventually, it started to seep out. When I feel the pressures of life, I tend to feel like a volcano ready to explode at any minute. When the pressure keeps building and building like a skyscraper. The smallest things can cause you to blow and everyone around is effected the hot words of lava. Your words and actions can be a catastrophe to your family, co-workers and especially your mate/relationship. Like the great Maya Angelou quoted “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I have messed up tons of relationships that some are being repaired and others not due to my actions and words.
I realized that my volcano is filled with anger at past people, situations when I didn’t speak up especially when it came to my father. A lot of people are walking around like ticking time bombs and ready to explode when something triggers our anger. You often see it in road rage, mothers snapping, or people killing each other over meaningless things. Often times when we get hurt in life, our hurt turns to anger and our anger lies dormant until something triggers it. When the anger is triggered, all the pain comes rushing back and often times we are unable to control what comes out.
Moral of the story: Don’t let your anger get the best of you. When you feel under pressure talks to someone about what’s bothering you. Try thinking of things that will help release the pressure like finding a hobby like running, going to the gym, yoga, reading, rock climbing, swimming. I encourage you to take time for yourself and do something you enjoy. At the end of the day, relive the pressure.