The most debilitating emotion is anger

Holding onto anger is like grasping onto a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else. You are the one who gets burned. 
- Gautama Buddha


Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.
- Malachy McCourt


To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee.
- William H. Walton


Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth.
Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life.
- Joan Lunden


We hold onto the hurt, the anger, the resentment, because we fear that if we could let it go effortlessly, then whoever caused the pain in the first place, would be getting away with it too easily.
- http://meganwyatt.wordpress.com/2008/10/10/why-we-hold-onto-anger-and-resentment/



All healing is a release from the past
- T. Harv Eker


For true healing to occur one must empty out all the stored pain, hurt, blame and hatred. We cannot just by-pass the emptying out and releasing process and jump straight to genuine forgiveness, because the consciousness connected to the issues remains stored inside the body and it continues to have a life of its own. And that can be damaging.
- Brandon Bays (http://newconnexion.net/articles/index.cfm/2007/09/Moving_Past_Pseudo-Forgiveness.html)


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The quotes and articles referenced above can be a great wake up call.  Any one of us can relate to these sayings because at various times in our life we have had anger and resentment toward someone else.  Anger is very damaging but what we may not realize is that it is most damaging to us.  Being angry at someone else will only slow your progress and cause you to stumble.  The other person may not even be aware of you feelings of animosity or may not even care.  If you spend all your time and energy focused on the reason why you are angry you will never get past it.  


The greatest source of healing comes from releasing this most negative of emotions.  Therapy works great for getting in touch with why you are angry to begin with.  If you can understand the source of the emotion it is much easier to let it go.  Also remember that the other person's point of view could be completely different than your own and if you spent time trying to understand the issue from their point of view it might be easier to let go of the anger caused by that person.


Here are some additional resources that may help you:


Overcoming Anger and Irritability: Talks with Your Therapist


From Anger To Forgiveness: Your Guide To Stopping The Cycle Of Anger & Achieving Peace With Yourself & Those Around You


From Anger to Intimacy: How Forgiveness Can Transform Your Marriage


From Anger to Forgiveness: A Practical Guide to Breaking the Negative Power of Anger and Achieving Reconciliation