“Sweet revenge” is only sweet for a moment; The long-term damage of revenge, however, can last a lifetime. ~LMB
Much of the world’s violence is the result of revenge and retaliation. In your hurt and anger, you often want to lash back at the person who has harmed you. You believe that getting back at them will somehow show them what it feels like and teach them not to do it again. Because they hurt you so badly, you believe seeking revenge is justified and even warranted. After all, if they didn’t want to hurt themselves, then they should not have hurt you.
You don’t have the right to hurt anyone. Revenge does not dissolve your hurt, remove the injustice, or teach the other person a lesson. What it does do is keep the fire going—the fire in your gut and the fire between you and the person you seek revenge for.
Let the fire die out—without taking two souls with it. Revenge may feel good in the moment. However, that moment is often short-lived. Eventually, “sweet revenge” leaves a bitter taste in its wake. That taste is seldom worth the momentary righteousness.
Challenge: Take the high road when harmed. Respectfully have your back, set limits, and even end the relationship if necessary; take the high road. Letting go of your anger and hurt is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Give yourself the gift.
