Why Punishing Others Will Never Serve Youfeatured

I used to be a girl that was angry at the world and all that was in it. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, I was a very moody mean girl back in the day.

Very few people understood or wanted to understand me. There was a circle of girls I could vent to about the horrors of the human condition, but that was about it. I was mostly me alone in the tragedy of my own existence.

I often thought it my duty to punish those who did me wrong. And boy did I ever. I schemed, planned, and executed accordingly. Being careful never to let a bystander stand in my tracks. I would get instant gratification but it was very short-lived.

At the end of the day, I ended up more miserable than ever…caught up licking my wounds night after night.

So why did I think punishing others was the answer? Simply put, I wanted them to feel the same pain that I did. I wanted to see them squirm. Most importantly, I wanted to see any reaction.

Did I mention I was also extremely narcissistic?

Well, I definitely was.

I was so wrapped up in my “pain” that I let my victim mentality run rampant by demanding retribution time and time again.

The demand was fierce but the result was empty.

I could never understand why I was so miserable until I did. I was generating a negative world around me in hopes that the world would magically turn my negatives into positives. Strange to think about it that way now, but it completely made sense during that season of my life.

Truth is, punishing others will only result in the ultimate self-punishment: The loneliest of lives.

The best way to get the results you want is to create them yourself, to lead by example.

You want a miserable life? Go on, treat others miserably. You want an honorable life? Treat others with honor on a daily basis.

I know revenge can often sound sweet, but haven’t you heard that living your best life can be sweeter?

I am not here to talk about religion, but it is in no way MY duty to punish those whom I believe are sinners. I wouldn’t want that job to be honest. Whoever’s job that is, I will leave that up to them.

For the time being, I can only judge myself and do my best to generate love and positivity around me in the process. Because if I spread enough love, punishment will never be an option.

Love Deeply and Forever,

Karen