Revenge, love and hatred

People say that revenge and hatred are two self destructive emotions. It can become obsessive and consume your entire life. Total love can turn to total hatred if you allow it and if you are not careful.

Anyone's first love is most beautiful while it lasts. The very first moment of holding the hand of one you love is a blessing that can never be repeated. How can one who has loved ever hate? But we see and hear of love turning to hate. It really amazes me how people who have loved each other can just forget each other once they "break up". It could not have been love in the first place then?

Breaking up is of course a painful experience. Both are hurt. When one is hurt, sometimes the wounded one wants to hurt the other - revenge. Feelings of betrayal, of being let down and of being unappreciated can wreck havoc with the mind and heart, especially if you feel that you were true to the relationship and the other wasn't.

I had an experience when I was very young. I was lucky, however. God had given me the knowledge of unconditional love through a book which I bought from the second hand book store in my teens. I did not know that it was to prepare me for my first "break up". I had known the girl for more than 4 years. When she left, I cried for a month. I did not ever want to love again if it was that painful. At the end of the month I decided that I had to have my revenge. She must pay the penalty. And this is the prayer that I wrote in the form of a poem and etched it into my heart:

THE PENALTY

I shall kiss
your very hand
that killed
my heart.
I pray for
kindness for
every cruelty
you offer me.
For every crime
your penalty
...the pearls
of this life.

-justme.

I felt free once I penned those lines in my heart and I could concentrate on my studies and did very well in the university that year!

Today, I must thank God for answering my prayers and my revenge has been obtained. She is successful, happily married with wonderful children and we are friends even to this day.

It is not difficult to love...but to hate needs much effort...:) If I truly believe my Creator is merciful, can't I show some mercy to those around me?