Anger: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

[salixj]

Has there ever been a time in the past when something angered you, enraged you, brought you to fury, where as if it happened today, you would merely shrug? 

And the opposite. Have you ever thought back onto a time in the past when you have ignored something that either you have or would have reacted to today with a much vigorous response? 

Most likely there are at least a few cases.

Have a talk with your past self. Discuss why you felt the way you did then, why you don't now. Don't judge yourself for your past actions, you weren't the same person, your mindset was different, your sources of support were different. Simply try to understand where you were and why you were there, where you are now and why you are here. 

What changed? What has changed inside of you that makes a difference today in your response? Which worked better and why?

And then project: not to how you will be or what will make you angry, for there are many twists and turns before you. Many hills you will need to ascend or descend, places that will be gloomy, places that will be luxurious. Tomorrow you will not be the same person as you are today, and you are unlikely to get angry at the same things as you once did, or to shrug off what doesn't make you angry today. What is important to take is what has worked in terms of expressing your anger, and when and why. That is your goal self at least vis-a-vis anger.

What is the best way, in general, to react to situations that bring you to anger?