"Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean." - Maya Angelou

First, let me honor the late Maya Angelou, who has inspired me with her insight and deep knowledge of both the dark and light side of humanity.  I'm deeply saddened by the loss of one of the most influential, ravishing, wise and authentic of women. I chose this quote and photo of the late Maya Angelou to capture what this week's topic is all about: Your RAGING BEAUTY and how to get there.

DOWN IN THE DUMPS

I know you have felt anger, oppression, victimization and rage at least one time (or many times, like me!) in your life. Unfortunately, we can't escape these intense and often debilitating feelings, nor should we.  As the Buddha would say, "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."

If you've held in your fury for the sake of grace, beauty and social normalcy, you are actually blocking the way to your RAGING BEAUTY.

LETTING GO OF ANGER

Many healing professionals offer proven techniques to help let go of anger.  You can beat a pillow, scream it out, try EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), dance/stomp it away, draw out your frustrations, or wear your rage on the outside (I Hate You T-shirts).  These varying approaches are effective depending on your style and personality, but they all suggest that you MUST go through pain, rage, or anger in order to get over the build up of all this trash.

I admit to being intimidated by aggression. I'm not yet comfortable with violently beating a pillow or throwing a major fit (though I'm positive I need to!).  So here is what I came up with to ease us into admitting to our own anger:  Glam Up The Trash.

"Garbage Never Looked So Good"

 ©Lord Coltrane

Gown: black duct tape, 9 Hefty trash bags, and 2 Brillo pads.

HOW TO GLAM UP YOUR TRASH

All you need are three basic things to glam up your trash: make-up, a hairbrush, and clothes that speak to your dark side.  When you start to feel your charge, take a break, lock yourself in a bathroom, and immediately follow these easy steps towards your Raging Beauty:

1) Get out the make-up.  This will be no ordinary makeover.  Dare to put on a heavy dose of eyeliner and dark lipstick.  At each application, smear a bit of smokey rage eye shadow over your lids. Blot out oppressive feelings with deep colored lips.  Smudge your irritation around your eyes with liner.  You get the idea. Think high fashion, smokey runway make-up. Be careful not to end up with the chaotic, drugged out look of Courtney Love in the 90's (but if that is what you are feeling, go for it!).

2) After you are satisfied with your heavy make-up, give your hair a redo. Part it differently, cover your face with it, or make your hair BIG.  Tease the strands from the roots with strokes of outrage. Try expressing your feelings with words ("I'm so fu©k!*& pissed," etc.) while you flip, curl, straighten or tease each lock of hair.  Let the words and guttural sounds flow wildly.

3) Change clothes if you can.  You don't have to create a Hefty Couture gown (instructions upon request!), but you can sex up your own black pieces in the most forward way possible. Slip on your fishnets with indignation, step into your high-heeled boots with fury, and drape yourself in that little black dress with vengeance.  Start to embody your anger.  You'll end up looking fiercely hot or scary, maybe even both. You are Pele about to explode, a goddess on fire.

4) Now take it out in public.  Walk the streets with exotic fury, stare at your partner with sexy violence.  You'll be intimidating, yet intriguing.  No one will think to mess with you.

Chances are, the charge will dim by the time you remake all your trash. You will enter that sweet spot between rage and release, which is where your RAGING BEAUTY lives.

Tell me how it goes!