If Only Kindness Were As Motivating As Revenge

Revenge is one of the most powerful motivators known to the human race. It can be said that when considering the architecture of our human design, there is an aspect, perhaps as small as a single block-molecule, that ignites a desire to exact revenge upon those who commit wrong-doings against us and with whom we share allegiance.

Most of us have the self control to subdue these feelings and forgive. But we can all recall stories of extreme measures of revenge taken by people who become consumed with getting even with those who have wronged them.

As the old saying goes, "two wrongs do not make a right." You may feel as though justice as been served and many cultures do uphold laws that are based on the principle of "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth." But does this really restore balance and harmony in the wake of an offense or does this only leave two people crippled, no better off than they were before any offense was committed?

Now, imagine if kindness were as motivating as revenge. What would the world be like? Considering the passion with which some people commit crimes motivated by revenge, the human race would see an amazing influx of awareness and consideration for the well being of our fellow man based on kindnesses expressed from one person to another and those kindnesses being paid forward in a seemingly ending chain.

Most people absorb kindness and acknowledge that kindness graciously, yet they find little time or motivation to exact a kindness in return or to pay that kindness forward to another. Imagine what the world would be like if we did. It is a shame that we are limited to dreaming of such things.