I wrestled with anger from the age of sixteen. It's still one of

Host:
The evening sky had softened into deep hues of purple and orange, casting long shadows across the room. The air was cool but still held a trace of the warmth of the day. Jack sat on the couch, his gaze fixed on the window, watching the last bits of daylight slip away. Jeeny sat at the table, a notebook open in front of her, her pen moving in careful, thoughtful strokes. The quiet in the room was almost palpable, as if both were waiting for something unspoken to take shape.

Jeeny:
(She looks up from her notebook, her voice gentle but purposeful.)
“I came across a quote by Bernice King today. She said, ‘I wrestled with anger from the age of sixteen. It's still one of my nemeses. I have to remember that the word of God says, "Be slow to anger."’ What do you think about that, Jack? Have you ever struggled with anger?”

Jack:
(He exhales slowly, his voice weary, almost distant.)
“Yeah. Anger’s been a constant for me. It’s like a shadow that I can’t quite outrun. I think I’ve been wrestling with it ever since I was a teenager, too. You know, when you're that young, everything feels like it’s just a big, overwhelming battle, and you don’t have the tools to deal with it. And even now, I find it creeping up when I least expect it, especially when I feel misunderstood or pushed too far.”

Jeeny:
(She nods, her eyes soft with understanding.)
“I get that. It’s easy to feel like anger is the only way to deal with things, to let it take control. But when I read Bernice King’s words, I thought about how anger isn’t always the enemy, but letting it control you is. Being slow to anger, like the word of God says, is a reminder that we don’t have to give in to it. We can choose how we respond, even when the emotions are strong. It’s hard, but it’s possible.”

Jack:
(He shifts in his seat, his voice low, almost reflective.)
“It's so much easier said than done, though. When you're angry, you’re not thinking clearly, and it’s like you can’t stop yourself from reacting. Everything inside of you just wants to explode, and before you know it, you’ve said something or done something that you regret. I don’t know how you get past that, especially when it feels like you're constantly at war with yourself.”

Jeeny:
(She leans forward, her voice soft but firm.)
“I think that’s where awareness comes in. The fact that you recognize the anger, that you’re aware of it, is already a step in the right direction. It’s about giving yourself that moment, that brief space, to breathe before you react. Slowing down instead of just being swept away by the rush of emotion. It’s not about suppressing it, but about allowing it to exist without letting it take over your actions.”

Jack:
(He looks down, his expression thoughtful, but there's a hint of frustration in his voice.)
“It just feels like it’s not that easy. When you’re in the middle of an argument or something happens that triggers you, it’s hard to stop yourself. Anger is such a powerful emotion — it’s not like you can just turn it off like a switch.”

Jeeny:
(She nods again, her voice quieter now, filled with empathy.)
“I think that’s the challenge, Jack. It’s about recognizing that anger isn’t inherently wrong. It’s what we choose to do with it that matters. In those moments, it’s hard to pause, but if we can just give ourselves a breath, a moment to reflect, then we’re not letting anger make the decisions for us. It's about learning to step back and let our thoughts catch up with our emotions, so we can act from a place of wisdom instead of just instinct.”

Host:
The room seems to hum with the weight of their conversation. The soft glow of the room creates a cocoon of quiet between them, while the air around them feels heavy, as if the very words they speak are laden with personal reflection. Jack’s eyes seem lost in thought, while Jeeny’s gaze is steady, full of understanding and patience.

Jack:
(After a pause, his voice softer, almost vulnerable.)
“I’ve tried so many times, Jeeny, to keep it under control. But it’s like... like this part of me that I can’t shake. The anger, the frustration — they’re familiar, you know? It’s like I’ve gotten used to it. So when it shows up, it feels almost like a part of who I am. It’s hard to let go of that, to believe I can be different.”

Jeeny:
(She places a hand on his arm, her touch reassuring, her voice gentle.)
“I understand, Jack. But remember, it doesn’t define you. It’s just something you’re working through, something you’re learning to manage. Anger isn’t who you are; it’s just a reaction. And reactions can be changed. You don’t have to stay in that place. The fact that you’re aware, that you’re trying to remember that ‘being slow to anger’ is possible, that’s the first step. You don’t have to be perfect — just take it one moment at a time.”

Jack:
(He nods slowly, the weight of her words sinking in, his voice softer, more introspective now.)
“Maybe that’s it. Maybe it’s not about erasing the anger but learning to keep it from controlling me. To remember that I don’t have to act on it every time it comes up. I’ve got to remind myself to be patient with myself, just like I would be with someone else who’s struggling.”

Jeeny:
(She smiles, her voice soft and warm.)
“That’s exactly it. Be patient with yourself. Growth isn’t a straight line. It’s full of setbacks and victories, but each step forward counts.”

Host:
The room is quiet now, the soft rhythm of breathing filling the space. Jack and Jeeny sit together in a shared understanding, their words a quiet balm on the rawness of the topic. Outside, the world moves, but inside, there’s a new sense of peace — the kind that comes from acknowledging a struggle and realizing that it doesn’t have to define you. Anger, though powerful, does not have to control them. There is strength in slowing down, in being mindful of the choices we make in the face of our emotions.