Revenge: Is it Worth It?

Hi All,

(Know who that is? If you don't know or don't recall you'll find out at the end of the post)

We all have someone in our lives that we’ve wished revenge on. That is just human nature. We have all dealt with people who have hurt us. In return we wished something upon them. We always said that if we could get back at them we would. I know I have. I remember instances from my past where people wronged me then I said I couldn’t wait till the day when I could get them back. I always dreamed of going to my high school reunion and bragging to the people who may have hurt me. Even before I became an author I still knew I would do something more than them because when people try to hold you down, you always turn out to be better than they are. A lot of kids are teased. A lot of kids are picked on and bullied. Almost all of those kids wish for the day when they can get revenge. But, is it truly worth it?

It’s funny how we go through life holding on to the negative things we’ve encountered. We blame others but maybe sometimes it is our fault for letting it get the best of us. I always dreamed of the day when I could get bitchy with some girl who talked behind my back or some guy who teased me. I don’t believe it’s worth it. You know why? Because those folks have already gotten what’s coming to them by the time you reconnect with them. If you ever do.

I remember the story of this actress. She’s not famous but she’s been in some movies. She did an interview before her debut movie role. She explained how badly a girl picked on her when she was in school. She said the girl treated her horribly. She talked about her looks. She said she would never be anything because she wasn’t attractive. She did some very nasty things. Well, the actress met up with that girl after the movie came out. The actress said she’d had all these things in her head that she’d been dying to say to the girl since high school. She’d practiced it over and over. She said that if she ever met her again she would let her have it. Alas she didn’t. She said it just wasn’t worth it. The girl of course acted like they’d been friends in school. She acted as though she hadn’t remembered how badly she treated the actress. Once the actress realized how limited the girl’s life was now, she just couldn’t say the things she wanted to. She said the excitement vanished. It just didn’t seem important anymore.

I agree. I’ve met up with people from middle school who didn’t treat me right back then. They come up to me like we were old friends. “ Hey, girl! Girl you look good! “ All I can think about was how this person treated me. I wonder if they even took their behavior seriously because I did. We think that revenge is being able to tell these folks off or to let them see how successful we’ve become. You know what real revenge is? It’s just letting it all slide. Believe me the person who did you wrong realizes your life is better than theirs is the moment they approached you. You can almost see the shock or envy in their eyes. That’s better than telling them off to me. They now have to simmer in their own juices. Some even look at you like they have the nerve to apologize. We all know it’s way too late.

I know we’ve all experienced people like this. They treated you wrong in the past. Now when you see them after all that time they recount history as if you were best friends. I have to laugh. Don’t let it fool you. It’s killing them believe me. People who hurt others in the past always end up with the short end of the stick. We even began to feel sorry from them. All that contempt we felt flies out the window when we see how pathetic they’ve gotten. At some point they knew their less-than-perfect lives were payback for something. They always seem to realize that once they’ve hooked up with you again. Sometimes you can’t help but pity these types of people.

You know longer crave revenge at this point right? No, seeing them struggling with their lives just takes that away. It’s funny how good people can still feel sorry for people who did us wrong. Though they never ever thought twice about the things they did to us. Ring any bells? Do you think you could act our your revenge on someone once you caught up with them again?

The photo is Meredith Brooks. “ I’m a bitch, I’m a lover…” You guys remember that song? Long live bitch rock! Look at her. Play that guitar, girl!

I remember when she opened for the Stones back in the late 90’s and the people booed her. Tsk, tsk. I don’t listen to her much now but the songs I heard were pretty good. She’s no Pat Benatar (one of my rock idols) but she’s definitely got a style all her own. You guys know how much I love electric guitars! I still plan to get mine soon.

Stacy