Last week I went to lunch with a couple of friends and at some point, the conversation turned to politics \u2014 not uncommon, although we try to limit that topic as much as possible. Anyhow, later that afternoon, I was thinking about the lunch and how I\u2019d enjoyed it. But it occurred to me that while on the subject of politics, it seemed like the term \u201crevenge\u201d came up \u2014 a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, that got me to thinking about revenge\u2026..
There\u2019s an old saying, \u201cDon\u2019t get mad, get even.\u201d I\u2019ve heard it attributed to Robert F. Kennedy when he was U. S. Attorney General\u00a0 back in the 1960s. I don\u2019t know if that\u2019s true or not.
We\u2019ve probably all wanted to \u201cpay someone back\u201d after an argument or hurtful comment, or wanted to \u201csettle the score\u201d after someone betrays our confidence or breaks our trust.
I think the truth is that in response to a real, or perceived, hurt or slight, most people want to retaliate. The desire for revenge is a common human trait \u2014 doesn\u2019t matter about color, gender or race.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So why do we want revenge? One reason is that it certainly makes us feel better. But, and this is going back a long ways, if I remember my psychology courses, the primary emotion or motivation to seek retribution is either anger or fear.
Most of us know that it\u2019s petty-minded or mean-spirited to want revenge. But \u2014 we also know how satisfying evening the score would be. Actually, we\u2019re kind of taught this all our lives\u2026. Most of our parents told us not to retaliate, especially against our brothers or sisters. They usually said, something like, \u201cLet Mom and Dad handle it.\u201d But almost in the same breath, they\u2019d tell us to stand up for ourselves \u2014 \u201cDon\u2019t let the big kids push you around. Teach them a lesson.\u201d Talk about a mixed message\u2026..<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apparently, forgiveness isn\u2019t something that comes naturally to humans. We seem to have a natural desire for justice \u2014 we want to get even because that\u2019s only fair. It restores the natural order of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you listen to or watch the news, it\u2019s apparent that revenge isn\u2019t going away \u2014 it seems to be getting worse, or at least getting more publicity. I think it\u2019s sad that revenge became a topic over lunch while discussing our country and government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I don\u2019t know if there\u2019s a revenge hall of fame, but there probably should be. Revenge can be truly cruel, hurtful and even dangerous, but a lot of it is just petty-stuff between \u201cfriends.\u201d It kind of boils down to \u201cgetting the last laugh.\u201d Not sure why, but while writing this, I was reminded of an inscription I saw on a gravestone once\u2026. It read \u201cI told you I was sick.\u201d I\u2019m not sure it was put there for revenge, but the person at least got the last laugh.
\u2014 30 \u2014\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Last week I went to lunch with a couple of friends and at some point, the conversation turned to politics \u2014 not uncommon, although we try to limit that topic as much as possible. Anyhow, later that afternoon, I was … Continue reading