You have always been told that you should surround yourself with positivity and calmness though there have been numerous points in life when you feel every bit of hatred, jealousy, anger, and frustration. There is a famous quote regarding this:
"If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also."
If people are hurting you, let them be for they are ignorant.
In today's world, where people are being meaner every day, you cannot always be the bigger person. Go back and think of the first breakup you had, think about that time when someone ruthlessly shattered your heart in return for your love. Think of the time when you just stopped being friends with your best friend, when your eternal friendship was replaced by some random person. Or the time you were sexually harassed by someone you know, and all you wanted to do was run to your parents and cry.
You know the pain I am explaining. You have been there in one way or another. You cannot always let things go. And it is okay not to let them go sometimes.
Contrary to what the quote might say, if someone slaps you on one cheek, make sure you slap them on their both cheeks and prevent them from slapping someone else again.
If you let things go, it is just going to encourage that person to whatever he/she did to you.
Sometimes your self-respect is more important than taking the high road.
On the other hand, there may be times when you should take the high road. Like, if your professor is slamming you and implying you are a failure. Yes, in that case, just acknowledge what he said, work harder, and prove him wrong. That would be getting back at him but by taking the high road.
But the times when someone has tried to make you feel worthless on purpose, never ever let that go. I have tried being the bigger person so many times and it was not worth it. I was made to question my potential, rethink my abilities and I did not say a word to that person. All it did was encourage that person to make me feel worse and I ended up in depression. No, definitely not worth it. I learned my lesson then. I realized the slap theory only worked in some cases. Like, if you are being slapped by a baby and the baby is so damn cute.
However, I started being more vocal about people who tried degrading me. And I feel stronger and confident now. Today, the people are going to walk all over you, if you let them.
So know your grounds and never settle for less than you deserve.
You can't always be expected to have a smile on your face and grace in your heart. You are a human, and it is natural to break down and cry. It's also natural for people to be shabby. Those people are just gonna be shabbier if you and I let them be.
If someone doesn't care about your emotions and treats you like crap, there is no reason you should tolerate that. Speak up and get your revenge. You can't always take the high road!
