Image: Flickr/robert terrell

“Revenge is often like biting a dog because the dog bit you.” (Austin O’Malley)

Sure, there’s something immediately gratifying about retaliating when someone has hurt you. It’s a natural reaction. It’s also an immature one.

Think of a biting dog. The dog is not trying to make you feel powerless or inferior. It’s not attempting to stab you in the back or undercut your authority. It’s just being a dog. You know better than to take it personally.

People are often the same — whether it’s a tantrum-throwing child or an insult-hurling teen — they’re usually not trying to hurt you on purpose. By refusing to take their actions personally, you can be a bit more objective in the way you handle things. You can rise above the fray. Be the adult, and stop relying on the least mature person in your home to be the most mature person in the situation.