This afternoon while working on a paint job I had the radio playing in the background. Several times during the afternoon the presenter asked for people to let him know how they "got their ex," for an upcoming broadcast. At first I didn't think much about it, but as it was repeated time and again something about it began to bother me.
I must confess there have been times in my life when someone has done something to me and it has made me angry enough to want to get back at them. Thankfully those occasions have been rare and I have soon got past it. But what bothered me about this request on the radio, is the sense that it was a good thing to get back at your ex in some way. It was not just an acknowledgement that it happens but it was an expectation that people should do it, and an encouragement to do it in a way that would hurt the most.
Now I've heard enough stories from the failed relationships of others to know that some parties to relationships deserve whatever they may get. But is it really healthy for us to want to get back at someone? What does it actually achieve other than cause more hurt? I have seen far too many people consumed with anger towards others and at the end of the day all it does is hurt themselves. While the anger is there it is impossible to move on. Some even claim it causes illness. The one to whom you are angry towards fills your mind and in doing so controls your thoughts and indeed emotions. Do they deserve to be able to exert such control over you?
Isn't it time for us to learn to move past the desire for retribution? Time to move forward with our lives rather than clinging to past hurts. Let them go, let the hurt go, and find a future that is positive and uplifting.
