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eing happy and at peace is not as simple as it seems. If it was, depression would not be so prevalent, as per a WHO study. Depression is nothing but mourning our lost identity, the main cause of unhappiness as people see themselves through the eyes of others.

Anger is one of the most basic human emotions. It is a physical or mental response to a threat or harm done in the past. If not dealt with in a healthy way, it can have a negative impact on our daily life, relationships and achievements, physical and mental well-being. Never respond to an angry person with a fiery attitude even if he deserves it. Don'€™t allow his anger to become yours. Of all the human emotions, anger is one of the most toxic and problematic.

This is why we'€™re advised to not shout at kids at school and home, because yelling at them can generate feelings of fear, hatred and the will to rebel, which can hamper their physical and mental growth. Headaches, digestive imbalance, insomnia, anxiety, depression, high-blood pressure, skin problems, heart attacks and strokes are all gifts of the deadly beast called anger. The seriousness of this matter has compelled researchers to find anger-management techniques.

Sometimes, we start our day with a smile and positivity, but then we come across many types of people at work with a high capacity to irritate others. This is when we have to decide to remain at peace and not absorb their negative emotions. Just as we prefer to drink filtered water, we should learn to filter the emotions of others.

Let us all practice peace by keeping in mind the golden words of Gautama Buddha: '€œHolding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.'€ Each one of us should make an honest effort to keep anger at bay because anger is that wind that blows out the lamp of the brain.

Indu Nandal, Purwakarta, West Java