'this will hurt me more than it will hurt you'

We say it or think it when we're doing something (we believe to be) for someone else's benefit or for some higher good. But is it true?

Sometimes. Like when we pull the kids away from the computer after the 3rd hour. They are hurting because they've been robbed of one amusement. But my house has gone from happy to sad, quiet to noisy, harmonious to aggressive, tidy to messy all in the space of a few minutes. I'm hurting more! Or so I think.

But perhaps not. Because when I impose my discipline (or whatever) on others I'm in the power position. Even if it's unpleasant, I'm still the one calling the shots and there is something in that that makes the pain different.