We have so many noble reasons for anger these days. We’re more informed, more connected to the world’s injustices, and so more justifiably outraged. Well done, us!

But let’s be honest, we’re not always the wisest managers of our anger. Protests degenerate into looting. Vigils and violence happen on the same streets. Sometimes it appears we’ve gotten conflict-resolution tips from House of Cards or reruns of The Office rather than from Gandhi—or Jesus for that matter.

And since we’re speaking candidly, I have two confessions of my own:

1. I am pro-outrage when it comes to injustice. Yes! Protect the innocent. Be a voice for the voiceless. And be warned: I will want to dropkick you if you try to hurt a little one.
2. I have a propensity for conflict-avoidance. I am a recovering people-pleasing, can’t-everyone-get-along, calm-down-let’s-just-have-fun type.

So, I’ve yet to win a Nobel Prize with my idiosyncratic set of contradictions. However, ...