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O child,

When you were the apple of a fairy tale's eye, a seven-headed dragon came and tore your dream curtain.

As you ran and played in the city streets, the deafening sounds of giant birds with iron wings shattered everything.

A cruel claw of steel settled on your little body.

This sinister and dark evil lifted your pure soul to the skies of eternity.

Yes, my child, you paid for your innocence by becoming motherless, fatherless, siblingless, homeless, hungry, thirsty and lifeless.

This natural purity was so blessed that nothing could defile it.

And now you are with the prophet Abraham for whom the fire was a rose garden.

Let the sound of your joy ring in the gardens of paradise...

Yes, my child,

You paid with your life the heavy price of remaining sinless in this false world that is becoming more and more worthless every day.

Even though everything was painful, you won.

Your tears created clouds of justice.

Your fears moved mountains.

Your laments confirmed that nothing will ever be the same.

While some hearts were petrified, many dead hearts were revived thanks to you.

And now,

We look at the noble and honorable footprints you left behind, your dusty toys and clothes, the pictures you drew on the walls with longing, gratitude, respect, deep and endless embarrassment.

Forgive us...

Seneca’s observation about anger serves as a profound reminder of the psychological and interpersonal costs that uncontrolled anger can have. When we let anger dictate our responses, often the consequences are more damaging to ourselves than the original provocation. This concept isn't just a philosophical musing but is supported by contemporary psychology.

First, let’s consider the personal toll. Unrestrained anger can lead to chronic stress, which detrimentally impacts our physical health. It increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and weakened immune system function. Psychologically, it can entrench us in a cycle of constant agitation, making it difficult to enjoy life or maintain healthy relationships.

From a social perspective, anger can distort our judgment, leading us to make impulsive decisions that we might regret later. This impulsivity can damage professional relationships, friendships, and familial bonds. The fallout from a single heated moment can sometimes irreparably harm a connection that took years to build.

However, anger, when acknowledged and managed effectively, can be constructive. It can signal to us that our values are being compromised, or that our needs are not being met. The key is to harness it as a motivator for positive change, rather than allowing it to escalate into destructive behavior.

To manage anger effectively, one can practice mindfulness, which helps in recognizing the onset of anger and choosing a more measured response. Techniques such as deep breathing, pausing before reacting, and communicating feelings assertively but respectfully, can mitigate the intensity of our anger. Seeking the assistance of a therapist or counselor can also be beneficial in understanding the root causes of our anger and learning healthier ways to cope.

In essence, while anger is a natural human emotion, its management is critical. By controlling our anger, rather than letting it control us, we protect not only our well-being but also our relationships. Remembering Seneca’s words can be a valuable strategy in moments of frustration, prompting us to step back and consider the broader consequences of our reactions.

9 Books Elon Musk Thinks Everyone Should Read: 📚

When he's not launching rockets, drilling beneath the streets of Los Angeles, or propelling vehicles beyond our atmosphere, Elon Musk spends considerable time reading.

Here are 9 non-fiction books recommended by Musk that he believes everyone should dive into.

1. Human Compatible by Stuart Russell.

Human Compatible explains why the creation of artificial intelligence could be humanity’s final act, a topic that Musk has been very vocal about.

2. Zero to One by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters.

Zero to One explores how companies can better predict the future and take action to ensure that their startup is a success.

3. Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway.

This book examines some of the world’s foremost scientific debates on the environment, smoking, and nuclear weapons

4. Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark

In this work, MIT professor Max Tegmark writes about keeping artificial intelligence beneficial for human life and ensuring technological progress remains aligned with humanity’s goals for the future

5. The Big Picture by Sean M. Carroll

The Big Picture is an ambitious look at the world as we know it and how we can use scientific thinking to make sense of most of it.

6. Lying by Sam Harris

Lying explains why the act of telling lies is so dangerous. And that means all lies, from the tiny lies that people tell on a daily basis to the massive lies sometimes told on the world stage.

7. Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom

The book in Elon Musk’s reading list makes a daring inquiry into what would happen if computational intelligence surpassed human intelligence

8. The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

profoundly influential work in the realm of economics. It is a profoundly influential work in the study of economics and examines precisely how nations become wealthy.

9. Radical Candor by Kim Scott

He is a fan of the feedback loop, stating in an interview that, “it’s very important to have a feedback loop, where you’re constantly thinking about what you’ve done and how you could be doing it better.”

Radical Candor by Kim Scott serves as a valuable roadmap for leaders seeking to build strong relationships with their employees.