Competition - With Who?

Snapshot: Stood my ground from being pulled into a 'competition' that would have zero winners and many losers.

Today I was involved in a conversation with a woman I respect. We were discussing how to handle a certain situation. A situation with a person, for a variety of reasons, has had their 'bubble' burst by me. Honour and pride drive a lot of emotion and hence human behaviour. 

I am quite certain this person is hurting. I am also probably correct in saying that they are out to trip me up; exact some sort of revenge.

This woman's advice was to relish the situation. Take it on with a smile on my face, because a smile on my face will annoy them even further. Win the competition. Take no quarter.

She had a look of power in her eyes as she spoke. Of emotion, strong emotion, as if she was channeling some previous battles she had been in. 

The fact is I'm not fighting a battle. I'm dealing with a 'human' situation. Primarily my own.

It isn't for me to become involved in tit for tat and one upping and getting the better of. That behaviour, although may have some short term benefits/seen as heroics, will destroy in the long term. I'm not even sure it has short term benefits.

I think it is something to do with the parable of Jesus telling his disciples to invite the poor, the lame, the disadvantaged to the feast. The people who are most scorned in society; those that are to be avoided. Its by embracing these people's company that you open yourself up to compassion. Compassion for them, for their weaknesses, which leads to a ultimate compassion for yourself.

Treat others how you wish to be treated right?