I believe the suffering I carry is (among other things) a sign of strength. Why? Because I'm not going around being mean to other people as a way of "getting revenge" for how I was treated. Instead, I turn it inwards (and that hurts).

People in my past who hurt me perhaps did it as their way of venting pain or disappointment. Or maybe it was true meanness. But they were willing to take that out on others, which is not something I'd like to do.

I do try to find other, healthier, ways to release the pain without turning it inwards (hence therapy). But I do think I deserve a little credit for not wishing to do to others what was done to me.