My encounter at the hospital Thursday with an irate and angry man is today's topic. Years ago I would have just considered his anger and rage as a byproduct of him being an ass. Now I know better. Anger and rage are byproducts of pain, fear, low-self esteem and unresolved childhood traumas. I have empathy and compassion for those suffering. If you or someone you love is stuck in a space of anger, there is hope and help as soon as you can recognize that anger is a symptom of something deeper. Being angry is a normal emotion, raging at people is not a normal response or healthy way to deal with it.