Spite
I have known people in my life whose lives are ruled by spite. Despite their advanced ages, they were still basing life decisions in reaction to parents or others who were long dead or completely removed from their actual lives. I find this very saddening to observe. In fact, I consciously avoid the company of people who live spitefully. Life's possibilities for evolving as a person and doing some good along the way are everywhere around us. We are not trains, confined to laid tracks going in one of two directions. I have struggled with spiteful reactions in my life. I know how automatic they can become. However, the effort to break from spiteful action is well worth it. It can be life pushing back a curtain to discover a new world of seemingly endless possibilities.