Fauna: Now, come have a nice cup of tea, dear. I’m sure it’ll work out somehow.

Merryweather: Well, a bonfire won’t stop Maleficent.

Flora: Of course not. But what will?

Fauna: Well, perhaps if we reason with her.

Flora: Reason?

Merryweather: With Maleficent?

Fauna: Well, she can’t be all bad.

Flora: Oh, yes, she can.

Merryweather: I’d like to turn her into a fat, ole hoptoad!

Fauna: Now, dear, that isn’t a very nice thing to say.

Flora: Besides, we can’t. You know our magic doesn’t work that way.

Fauna: It can only do good, dear, to bring joy and happiness.

Merryweather: Well, that would make me happy.

The fairies from Sleeping Beauty knew what they were talking about. Perhaps you can relate, whether it’s the consistency of wanting to stick with good, bringing joy and happiness to lives or the misconception of a situation where good and bad are comingling and confusing. Or the rationalization of prioritizing our own happiness despite the cost. Which do you relate to the most?

I know it’s just a fairy tale, but I hear a lot of “Well, that would make me happy” in everyday life, and it’s spoken with vengeance. It’s mean-spirited and selfish. But it seems okay for us, because what the other person or group is doing makes it so. In essence, it’s their fault, and not ours. But, does that determine our response in a negative way every time?

Someone might be chronically doing something that is puts others in an uncomfortable or vulnerable position. So, retaliation is okay, right? We can sacrifice our own standards if it’s justifiable. We say it’s about other people, but is it always? We say we’re standing up for someone, but can we do that in ways that don’t destroy someone else? We say we’re speaking truth, but should it ever be separated from compassion and love? We say we’re fighting for justice, but what laws or ethics are we sacrificing in the meantime? Should we fight for others who are less able, argue for what’s right even when it’s difficult, and speak truth with discernment? Absolutely. But we shouldn’t put down our guard or values in the process. We can take the high road while being confident, bold, courageous, and truthful. In fact, the process and outcome are then less tainted. It all might not turn out the way we want, but we can be confident we walked through it with integrity.

Or we can do our best to turn the other person into a “fat, ole hoptoad” because it makes us happy. But in reality, someone does that to themselves. Depending on how we respond, we can grow a wart or two, or we can stand firm with the yuck then move on. Know your standards well enough to be consistent with them. And if your standard is vengeance, know the moment of satisfaction might be costly to your peace and healing.