“Everyone ought to bear patiently the results of his own conduct.” William Shakespeare. That was his way of saying, “Karma is a bitch” in a politically correct way. I can almost find humor in the fact that this is SO true. What you do to others will be done back to you multiplied many times—whether it is good or bad is up to you in the first place.

Human nature allows us to be weak and make mistakes because we can make our own choices. Of course, we don’t always make the right ones. I myself can reflect upon some of the decisions I have made and cringe because of the “I almost regret doing that” feeling that I get in the pit of my stomach.

But that is what we do. We mess up and sometimes the things we lose can never be recovered. Sometimes, we even lose ourselves because the need to be defensive and prideful and protective of our own emotions is the ultimate driving force behind the many situations we put ourselves in.

So when is it okay to just STOP the cycle? When can we just forgive so that we can pass on good karma to others? One of the most difficult things to do is to humble ourselves to be exposed to another person entirely in all aspects; and that feeling of not letting your pride win might be a good one.

It’s hard to tell because getting even with someone and feeling like you redeemed yourself seems to always be the easier choice to make.