Revenge, at first though sweet,

Bitter ere long back on itself recoils.

-John Milton

The concept of revenge is as old as history. Almost since the dawn of the written word, humans have had the desire to exact vengeance on others who have wronged us. It is something that we find sweet and satisfying – to know that the other person got what was coming to them, what we think they deserve. We love to get even. We want them to hurt like we were hurt.

Our natural tendency is payback.

The idea is that because they hurt us, we now owe them some hurt in return. And that’s one debt we’re only too glad to settle. In fact, usually it’s not enough to “get even”. We usually want to add just a little more pain… because we are sinful creatures.

It is tempting to try to take on the role as personal vendettas and seek to punish those who we feel deserve it. In fact, our fight for justice is often masking an internal battle: we want revenge.

This is why the Mosaic Law contains the command “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).

I believe revenge starts a chain effect. Since “violence begets more violence”, revenge works to perpetuate the problem and what goes around comes around. Endlessly. No matter who started it, but when it is fuelled by revenge… it goes on and on, even generations after generations.

Revenge is not justice. Revenge does not make us a hero. It doesn’t make us any better than those who have wronged us.

As Confucius quoted, “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” So unless you’re ready to dig two graves – one for punished and one for you, the punisher – do yourself a favour. Forgive.

Happy forgiving and en(reach)ing lives!

Follow your passion and your dream,

they the know way.

-jamieywrites

You’ve got to follow your passion. You’ve got to figure out what it is you love – who you really are. And have the courage to do that. I believe that the only courage anybody ever needs is the courage to follow your own dreams. People may give you a piece of their mind, their two cents worth… but the most important voice to follow is your heart, your passion!

Happy en(reach)ing lives… including your own life!
 
 

May the road rise up to greet you.
May the wind always refresh and renew.
May the sun shine warm upon your crown,
and rains fall soft upon your grounds.
And until we meet again,
I leave with you sweet blessing and some champagne.

-jamieywrites

Let’s raise our glasses to the great 2012 and may our 2013 be overflowing with love, joy and peace!

If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything.

I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.

-John Wooden

Don’t ever get stuck in your past or start identifying yourself with struggles or mistakes. Always remember they are steps along the way, necessary steps. It’s usually those who have made most mistakes in the past who amount to the greatest successes in the present and future.
 

If 2012 was a ‘bad’ year, so what!? You have the whole of 2013 to make it better, you even have one more day in 2012 to start afresh.
 

Happy making a difference and en(reach)ing lives!
 
 

Books make great gifts because they have whole worlds inside of them.

And it’s much cheaper to buy somebody a book than it is to buy them the whole world!

In conjunction with the season of giving, Queensbay Mall has initiated a charity drive to present gifts for the kids in St Joseph Home. Seeing the little wish-cards hanging on the Christmas tree in the mall, I couldn’t help but randomly pull out one of the cards.

So, it seems this boy wants a book on football… and I got him the latest edition of a football magazine. I hope that will be a good gift since a magazine has more up-to-date information than a book.

If you’re in Penang, shopping in Queensbay Mall and would like to open up your heart and hands to donate gifts to these little ones, simply head over to the Info Counter on Ground Floor, Centre Zone. You’ll be mesmerised by the Christmas stage deco too!

Note: The magazine costs RM15.90. As of 13 December 2012 @ 1.00pm, the balance in en(reach)ing jar fund is RM44.10.

Happy en(reach)ing lives this festive season of giving!