Elizabeth Smart on the Best Revenge by being Happy
The power to create happiness in life is greater than anything negative that would take that away. By forgiving the past, she opens her life to receive greater opportunities, and uses all her energy and focus for positive goals moving forward. She does not waste any thoughts or energy going backwards, or wanting justice or revenge on her captors which would keep her tied to the past. She focuses on what she can do, not on what other people did to her.
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After she arrived home, Smart said her mom gave her the best piece of advice she’s ever received.
“My mom said, ‘Elizabeth, what this man has done to you is terrible, and there aren’t words to describe how wicked and evil he is…but the best punishment you could ever give him is to be happy. Move forward and follow your dreams and do exactly what you want to do. You may never feel like justice has been served, but you don’t need to worry about that ....â€
“If you relive it, you’re only allowing him to steal more of your life away from you,†she continued. “That’s the best piece of advice I’ve ever been given, and I have tried to live it every single day.â€
“We always have a choice to move forward, to make a difference,†Smart said. “I like to think that we’re not defined by what happens to us…because so many times they’re beyond our control. I like to think that we’re defined by our choices and our decisions.â€