While it may be tempting to show off your success to someone who once taunted and made you feel worthless, using your achievements to demean or belittle them would not be a healthy or ethical response. Rising above the negativity and proving your worth to yourself is already a victory.
Here are a few reasons why showing off or trying to make someone feel bad about their situation is not a good idea:
Promoting Humility: Success should ideally be accompanied by humility. Using it to show off or make someone else feel bad goes against the virtue of humility and can be seen as arrogant and boastful.
Respect and Empathy: Remember how it felt when your friend taunted you. Instead of retaliating, practice empathy and understanding. You don't know their full story or struggles, so treating them with respect is crucial.
Building Positive Relationships: The goal should be to build positive and healthy relationships with people around you. Celebrating success together and supporting each other's growth is a much better approach.
Avoiding Regret: Acting out of spite or revenge rarely leads to positive outcomes. It's better to take the high road and avoid any potential regrets later on.
Encouraging Positive Change: If your friend is struggling, consider supporting them in constructive ways, such as offering advice, mentorship, or encouragement. Trying to make them feel bad won't help them improve their situation.
Focus on Your Own Growth: Rather than trying to show off to others, concentrate on your personal growth and self-improvement. Use your success as motivation to achieve even more and inspire others positively.
In summary, while you may have achieved success, using it to show off or put down others, especially someone who once hurt you, is not the right way to handle the situation. Instead, be kind, empathetic, and focus on building positive relationships with the people around you. Celebrate your successes but do so with humility and grace.