Tags
children, Diana Schwenk, friends, generosity, love, Mahatma Gandhi, parents, relationship, spouse
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. — Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas K. Gandhi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A global statement with personal application
In all our relationships there is one guarantee. We will be let down and we will let someone else down in some way.
It could be a parent, a child, a spouse, a friend, a co-worker – regardless of who it is, each one will fail at some point.
Whether it’s intentional or not is irrelevant.
This failure can take many forms including: betrayal, death, illness, criticism or selfishness.
The temptation to pay back the wrong can be strong.
Left unchecked it can quickly build into a toxic situation
where those affected are so hurt and damaged
they’ll overreact to the smallest offence.
It becomes too hot to handle.
Maybe you can’t even remember how it started, or who started it.
Someone needs to be the first to offer their hand in peace.
Why not you?
If you must pay back why not…
pay back loyalty?
pay back generosity?
pay back encouragement?
pay back friendship?
pay back love?
Is being right really always right?
talktodiana 
Wonderful work! Glad I’ve found you. Susie set me, btw. 🙂
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Susie’s party was awesome! Welcome to TalktoDiana and for leaving such a lovely comment!
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I agree!
It’s too bad everyone doesn’t realize the easiest way out of a difficult situation is the simple peace offering and then in some very toxic situations, run away!!! Disengaging can be necessary in some cases as hard and sad as that can be.
Thanks for bringing this to the party! I am glad you are joining in the fun!
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Thanks Susie for hosting this party! It’s been a lot of fun!
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Hi Diana, Susie sent me. It was so nice of her. Nice post. I will keep an eye out for your future ones.
Working in a positive manner is always good. Leaving troubling memories as written words sometimes helps.
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Hi and welcome Waldo – so glad you dropped by! Susie is amazing for throwing this party. Thank you for your kind comment. 🙂
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Hi. Susie sent me over from http://www.susielindau.com
Great post!
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Hi Ellie and welcome! Thanks for stopping by and leaving such an encouraging comment. Isn’t Susie awesome?!
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Yes, she is amazing. A real inspiration. And I hope she finds this comment too!
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haha it would take a great deal of time to track where everyone went! Her desire to connect a few of us together however has been a great success, don’t you think? 🙂
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“Someone needs to be the first to offer their hand in peace.” Excellent words. The world would be a much more peaceful place if people had the courage to do just that, even in the face of temptation to do otherwise. Susie sent me by the way 🙂
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Hi there and welcome! Susie is amazing isn’t she? Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Peace to you,
Diana
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Susie sent me over. Payback always seems like a good idea until after the fact. I like the idea of paying back with love and generosity instead. This positive payback doesn’t need to be returned to the person who hurt you; instead, pay it forward to someone who isn’t expecting it. The results are rewarding. Great post, Diana!
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Hi and Welcome! Thank you for stopping by and leaving your encouraging comment. ❤
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Hey, I am from Susie’s party. Really nice to learn those life changing lessons from this post. I would be sure to keep them in mind
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Welcome Charles! What a great idea Susie had! Thank you so much for reading my fave post and leaving a comment!
Diana
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Pay back the ‘good’ and write off the ‘bad’. It might inspire me to write a new self-help book: ‘The Power of Effective Emotional Accountancy’ 🙂
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Love it! And would pick up copy if you do so!
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Very well written, Diana. I especially loved your, “If you must pay back” section!
There is much wisdom in this post! Thank you for sharing it.
Russ
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Thanks Russ for reading my post and for your kind words and encouragement!
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…and adding to your list is “Payback with time” too. I payback time to some favorite charities to help make a difference. ( I wouldn’t know being right is all about…I’m rarely right! 🙂 )
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Good for you! Time IS a good one! Thanks for stopping by and commenting and I’m sure you’re right sometimes! 😉
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Thanks for letting me camp out in your blog for a little while. I had a great time and tried to leave my campsite as clean as when I arrived. I’ll be back!
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Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog!
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Wow…third time I’ve read this post now…and it DOES make you think. Many thoughts are a racing up there in the machinery room. Trying to think of the people I’ve let down. Scary thought. And the answer as you say…is most probably ALL of them. Again, scary thought!
Don’t post anymore of these blogs…makes you think TOO much 🙂
I like it!!!
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LOL we’re all human. Being perfect is not the answer (it’s impossible), forgiving kinda is….when appropriate.
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I’ll have to start practicing…starting now!
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Pingback: Complaints Perpetuate Bullshit « The Blog of Eric Schleien
Thanks for the mention. Also liked your post http://ericschleien.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/complaints-perpetuate-bullshit/ very much
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LOVE! That is my favorite quote – that and “speak your mind, even if your voice shakes,” but I don’t even know who said that one. This is such a great reminder. Thanks for sharing!
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That’s a great verse so I googled it. Maggie Kuhn is the author of that quote 🙂
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You’re the best googler! 😉 Thanks for.looking it up!
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[ Smiles ] Thumbs up for such a lovely post, Diana.
I look forward to reading your next article.
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Thank you stopping by and commenting!
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that is always the problem with letting defenses down. But who wants to live in an ivory tower.
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Exactly! As always, thanks for dropping by 😉
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Well written Diana! Very heart felt.
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Thank you! I was just reading your post as you sent this comment! We seem to be in the same frame of mind today 🙂
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this is brilliant Diana! Just like you.
what a gift to read your words this morning. You are so right! 🙂 tee hee — and I am so funny — right?
I love it when I crack myself up. Opens me up to living on the right side of being human — vulnerable and free, loving and kind, forgiving and compassionate.
Hugs my friend. Have a brilliant day.
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🙂 Right back at ya Louise! Have I told you yet how glad I am that you are staying in Calgary??
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