The Thankful List

So often I feel like we are pressured into being mean to our enemies (or those we perceive as enemies) by friends, society, and ourselves. We feel like we have to get a reaction or a rise out of them and that will make us feel better or will make the other person know how we really feel. Sometimes after saying hurtful things or doing hurtful things to others we do feel better. But this is fleeting, it never lasts. All the superficial happiness we gain from gossiping, name calling, and being mean never lasts. We just end up either wanting more or having a big hole left where we thought satisfaction would be. 

Instead of reacting to those individuals that we do not like as much with anger and trying to get back at them, try being nice. You don’t have to act like their best friend but being polite never killed anyone. Plus you can have the satisfaction of being in the bigger person and being mature. Don’t sink to the level of being mean and slinging words around because everyone gets hurt and leaves the fight empty handed. Be a lady or a gentlemen, be nice. You’ll most likely find that you get a lot further with honey than you do with vinegar. 

“Do good to your friends to keep them, to your enemies to win them.”

Benjamin Franklin