Because we tend to think of anger in mostly negative terms, we can overlook the fact that sometimes anger has a legitimate function. It is an emotion of self-preservation and can prompt the individual to stand firmly for valid needs and convictions. That said, it can be easily misused, so it is important for the angry person to pause long enough to discern how to match the legitimate message of anger with a respectful manner of communication. Something to Think about: At the base of anger there tends to be a hunger for dignity and respect. You can be stable in your emotional expressions even if the other person does not receive your message well. Healthy anger requires common sense, beginning with the notion that no one likes to be insulted. Let’s Talk Question: What causes you to communicate a legitimate message of anger in a disrespectful manner? What adjustment in thinking could help you communicate the emotion cleanly?