Jonah’s mom could see the meltdown coming.
I had come with her to cheer on my student, Jonah, in his tennis match.
She and I were watching Jonah overpower his tennis opponent.
Jonah was ahead 4 games to 1 in the first set. He was faster and stronger than his opponent. He had a better forehand, backhand, and serve. Jonah appeared to be the much better player.
But everything changed suddenly in the next game. The opponent’s shot was called “in” when Jonah believed the shot was “out”. Jonah became very angry and felt that he was “robbed” of an important point.
He argued the call furiously and settled down only slowly, still muttering under his breath about the unfairness. His mom said to me, “Watch what happens next.” She had seen this before.
Jonah lost that game. And the next. And the next. Suddenly, his opponent could do no wrong and Jonah could do no right.
Jonah lost the first set and then the second set, and with it, the match.
The lesson here is simple: When you're trying to play your best, LET GO OF ANGER!
It does not matter whether anger is justified or unjustified. The feeling of anger takes its toll—not on the person we direct our anger against, but on us! The feeling drains our energy, degrades our performance in most games, and clouds our joy.
Learning to let it go makes us lighter, clearer, and more powerful.
For students, letting go of anger can mean less frustration, better problem solving and more enjoyment.
