Be a teacher to an enemy, not an avenger

Live without enmity. Your enemies too then will become your raving fans.

This is a difficult choice, this living without enmity business. Because sometimes our principles are outraged, our sincerity is questioned and our need to set the record straight and redeem our pride starts driving us. In such moments, a lot of negative energy is generated that starts consuming us. Recognize that “How dare someone do this to me?” is a sentiment that is the fountainhead of anger, anxiety, stress and destructive thinking. Suppress the urge to be angry with the situation. Instead, give the situation love. Understand that someone is being preposterous, rude, unfair and unjust to you, only because they are viewing the situation differently. If they saw it your way, there would be no issue. Such people need help. Either you convince them or you forgive them and move on. If you are unable to convince them of your point of view, and are unable to forgive them; and on the other hand, you also want to fight for your right in a fair and free manner, by all means, go ahead. But don't approach the situation with enmity. Approach it as an opportunity to educate the person. Education requires enormous patience and a desire to present a teachable point of view. Wanting to teach a lesson, always, has a sense of wasted urgency to it and a vengeful perspective.

Whenever confronted with the dilemma of wanting to prove your point, and yet be forgiving, opt to be a teacher, not an avenger. When realization dawns on the other party, and be sure it will because if you are true you will get your way eventually, they will feel good and alive with the awakening, and not be destroyed with the defeat.