April 6, 2024 Ramblings – Retaliation

For full transparency that I promised myself for my Blog, I am sharing my thoughts and conclusions I have reached in this post on retaliation. I know when I am being provoked into a reaction…

Sometimes, I find myself wanting to bite back at these people who bark at me online. I have been fighting the urge not to retaliate since March 13, 2024, when the domain in my name created by past toxic tenants came back online with new content, but I am okay now. I know I can’t do that anymore, it serves no purpose other than to keep the abuse going. I learned my lesson…

It was a vicious cycle, they wrote something online, and I reacted by taking their words and refuting them, and vice versa. It was a constant back and forth of each person taking the content and writing their own opinions on what it meant. It had to stop somehow…To use my new term, if they want to be keyboard warriors, I had to learn to “let them”.

Through self-reflection and personal growth, I can break free from the toxic cycle of negativity. I no longer feel the need to retaliate against those who criticized me. I found inner peace and contentment within myself. I realized that I was in control of my happiness and that I had the power to choose how I respond to their behaviour.

I looked at these people, like really looked at them…I also read their new website, every single page, and gained even more insights into their thinking processes. https://districtschoolboardofniagara.com

What kind of life are they living, the choices they’re making, the things they do? They are buried in negative thinking and paranoia! I don’t usually compare myself to others, but in comparison to who I am, what I do and how I live, these thoughts keep me humble. I don’t want to live that way and refuse to become like them. We are different people and were made differently, with different upbringings that made us who we are today.

Rising above the urge to retaliate, I chose instead to reflect on it this past month. Instead of keeping the cycle of negativity going, I focus instead on self-improvement. I realized that the only way to break free from the toxic cycle was to work on bettering myself.

Through this process, I discovered that my reaction to their words was not just about them, but also about myself. I recognized that I had insecurities that were being triggered by their criticisms. It made me question my worth and abilities. But I also came to understand that their negativity was a reflection of their own struggles and insecurities. It was never really about me, it was about them feeling better!

As I delve deeper into my self-improvement journey, I realize that forgiveness is a crucial step in letting go of the past. I need to forgive not only those who had hurt me but also myself for allowing their words to affect me. I had to accept that I was human and that I would make mistakes along the way. Forgiveness is not about condoning their behaviour but about freeing myself from the burden of resentment.

I can’t control what others say or do, but I can control how I respond to their actions.

Through this journey, I discovered that self-love was the ultimate key to overcoming the cycle of negativity. I learned to love and accept myself unconditionally, flaws and all. I embrace my imperfections and celebrate my strengths. I realize that I am worthy of love and respect, regardless of what others think or say about me.

I have become more compassionate towards others, even those who have hurt me. I see from their online content they are living miserable lives, filled with paranoia that “everyone is out to get them”. I understand that everyone is fighting their own battles and that compassion is a powerful tool for healing. Instead of harbouring anger and resentment, I chose to practice empathy and understanding.

In conclusion, the journey to overcoming negativity is not easy, but it is always worth it. I have learned valuable lessons about self-love, forgiveness, boundaries, and gratitude over the past few years that grow every day.

I discovered that the key to breaking free from the toxic cycle was to focus on self-improvement and personal growth. I am grateful for the challenges that I faced, as they led me to a place of inner peace and self-acceptance.

I am no longer defined by the words of others but by my own self-worth and strength. I am proud of the person I have become and excited for the future that lies ahead.

Thank you for joining me on this journey of self-discovery and transformation. I hope my insights will help you in your own personal journey! If not, I hope you at least find the topic interesting!