For years, my neighbor Dan and I were at odds, constantly clashing over a simple brick fence I built for privacy. Dan, proud of his garden, hated it, and our petty fights grew worse. One day, Dan crossed the line by dumping trash all over my backyard, turning it into a disgusting landfill.

I couldn’t just let it slide. With help from a friend and an excavator, I returned the favor by dumping my own trash onto Dan’s pristine lawn, even throwing some down his chimney. The smell and mess quickly drove him crazy, and when he came home early, he was stunned to find his property ruined.

I greeted him calmly, pointing out my new security cameras that would catch any further antics. Dan realized he had lost this battle and never bothered me again. Though our feud left the neighborhood tense, it also earned a grudging respect.

Sometimes, you have to fight fire with fire. In the end, Dan and I learned that a little payback can go a long way—even if it means living with uneasy peace.