I was chatting with an older lady a day or two ago about some different new items (you’d think I’d learn not to do that huh? lol).
At one point she said that usually people are mean to other people because they themselves have been treated unfairly. I really don’t want to start a conversation about the topic so incase you were thinking I’m being rather vague – you are right!
I then had the (apparently) crazy comment that despite the past – wrong is wrong and while I agree that it creates some understanding of why – it doesn’t create an excuse.
Whoa! That got an angry response from her.
To be honest not much surprises me these days the this really took me back. This lady is not someone I would have guessed to have not only this opinion but so strongly too.
She feels that if society or a group of people, or even another individual hurts a person they have the right to be angry (agreed) and lash back (not so much in agreement) at other people in general.
Now just to clarify we aren’t talking about an incident that happens in the moment or a situation of defense.
I disagreed with her take on this. Hurting other people – especially ones who’ve done nothing to you – simply because you have been hurt in the past is not okay. It perpetuates anger, hate and pain for all.
What kind of twisted circle of anger that would create with everyone feeling victimized and quite justified? Let me rephrase that…they’ve been created for generations already so why keep doing what isn’t working
We have all been hurt, we’ve all been treated unfairly and we’ve all got baggage. Creating more crap in the world has never 
helped, fixed or changed any of that.
Now forgiveness, kindness and peace…to me that what is going to change things.
She was quite defensive and angry about it – telling me she has the right to think what she wants. I agreed and simply moved on. There was no discussion to be had there, no discourse or exchange of ideas. Too much emotion and defending. You can’t talk about things when one person has those walls up can you?
But I ask you dear readers, is there every a time when you feel it’s okay to treat others badly because you may have once been treated badly?
My Rivendell 