Peace Over Chaos: Gratitude, Football, and Letting Go of Anger

 The break of dawn is truly peaceful watching darkness gently give way to the brightness of the day, as if night and day are exchanging pleasantries before one takes over. These days, our nights feel long, and the days pass by in a flash, but Mondays remain constant a fresh start, a new working week, and an opportunity to dress sharp, wear our best fragrances, and flash those bright, hopeful smiles.

Speaking of Monday's energy, did anyone watch the Premier League yesterday? Now, that was entertainment at its finest! No offence to Manchester City fans, but that match had me glued to my screen. Even Chelsea fans, who usually have no love for Arsenal, were suddenly honorary Gunners, just because they didn’t want Manchester City to win. Football banter is truly undefeated! If you don’t relate, don’t worry you’re missing out, but we still love you.

So, let’s talk about that game: Arsenal 5 – 1 Manchester City. Wow. It was a statement performance, and you could see Pep Guardiola pacing the sidelines, deep in thought. No doubt he’s a tactical genius, but that match probably gave him a lot to think about. And can we talk about the celebrations? Arsenal’s young star Lewis did Haaland’s signature celebration right in front of him after they had a clash, football drama at its peak! 

 The only time Haaland does that celebration style is when he scores hat-tricks. Football truly brings out emotions like no other sport, and for that, I am grateful.

But beyond football, I had a restful Sunday. I took time to plan for the week, reflect, and just breathe. Rest is underrated, and I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of slowing down. There’s something so powerful about being intentional with your time, whether it’s resting, planning, or just existing without pressure.

My Personal Promise: Staying Away from Anger

Speaking of intentional living, I made a promise to myself: I will not let anger take over my life. And I mean it this time.

You see, anger is a thief. It steals joy, drains energy, and can even take a toll on spirituality. It’s like signing up for a ‘Get Older 10x Faster’ program free of charge, but the price? Your peace of mind. And for what? Silly reasons, half the time! Have you ever been so angry over something that, in hindsight, wasn’t even worth it? Or worse, get angry over someone else’s problem? Imagine taking Panadol for another person’s headache ridiculous, right? And yet, we do it all the time.

I remember one particular day I was so angry that I felt a sharp pain in my chest. That was my body telling me, “Calm down, before anger is the last thing you ever feel.” I told my sweet friend that day, “Anger will not be the end of me.” And I meant it.

Some fall sick because of anger. Have you ever seen someone so mad that they have a stomach ache? It’s as if the body is protesting, saying, “If you insist on ruining your peace, at least let me contribute with a little digestive distress.” Others take it further, hurting themselves or, in extreme cases, harming others.

In my faith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) once said that the strongest person is not the one who can fight but the one who can control their anger. And honestly, that’s the truth. Strength isn’t in shouting the loudest, flipping tables, or typing the angriest tweet it’s in mastering yourself when your emotions try to take over.

There’s even a beautiful prayer against anger:

"O Allah, forgive my sins, remove the anger in my heart, and protect me from the trials of misguidance."

It’s a reminder that anger, while a natural emotion, should never be in control. It’s an indicator an emotional alarm that something needs to be addressed. But how we handle it makes all the difference.

Communication, Not Combat

Anger often stems from frustration feeling unheard, disrespected, or out of control. But here’s the thing: the only person you can truly control is yourself. Not your annoying colleague, not that reckless driver on the road, not even the football team that refuses to win when you need them to. Just you.

And that’s where communication comes in. It’s not about being rude or manipulative but learning to express emotions without causing destruction. Most conflicts could be avoided or resolved if we just spoke, listened actively, and checked our egos at the door. But instead, we bottle things up until the pressure bursts, and suddenly, we’re yelling over something as minor as someone forgetting to return a borrowed pen.

Imagine holding in frustration for months, only to explode over…cutlery placement. “Why is the spoon in the knife section?!” Sounds silly, right? But that’s exactly how anger works.

The Ripple Effect of Letting Go

The moment I made this promise to avoid anger, I felt lighter. It’s like deciding to stop carrying unnecessary baggage who knew peace was this freeing? I am holding myself accountable because I know the benefits far outweigh the costs.

Less stress.

More joy.

Better health.

And most importantly, the ability to focus on things that matter.

Life is too short to waste on anger. Instead of fuming over small inconveniences, I’d rather channel that energy into something meaningful like writing, watching football, or planning my trillionaire future (yes, I said trillionaire, dream big!).

I am grateful for making this promto myself. 

Your Turn: Choose Peace Over Anger

As you step into this new week, I challenge you to pause before reacting. When anger creeps in, take a deep breath, reflect, and choose peace instead. Remember, the only person you can truly control is yourself.

Let’s make a conscious effort to communicate with kindness, embrace patience, and focus on what truly matters. And if you ever feel overwhelmed, pause and say the prayer above.

Now, over to you how do you manage anger? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s learn from each other. 

Stay grateful. stay peaceful. Stay away from anger.  Your future self will thank you.