Bullying in a Way That Might Surprise You~A to Z Challenge

More Participants

Bullying

Over the last decade, more and more incidents of bullying have come to light. People are taking it seriously. Schools and communities open their ears, more willing to hear what's unseen. Or better worded: what
sometimes is chosen not to be seen. Support groups have been started. Others have formed foundations to raise funds and awareness. There's even anti-bullying lessons taught in schools and survival methods if one is being bullied.

As serious as the topic of bullying is, I'm not highlighting this topic in the manner most of us are accustomed to seeing. This bullying isn't about the kid that sat next to you in elementary school who always had his milk money stolen. It's not about the neighbors at the end of the street, who no one really knew much about but everyone called them names and talked behind their backs. 

This is about self-bullying.

Our society talks about suicide, anorexia (as I did yesterday), depression, and other disorders, but fails to spotlight one major contributor to each of those ~ perfectionism and the result if one doesn't live up to his/her own image of perfect self. 

I know I'm guilty of it. We've all seen someone who appears more put together than we are and find a little voice whispering inside us She's better than me or Just look at him and all he's accomplished. Wow.

We're taught to accept others for who they are, but that must also apply to ourselves. When we learn self-acceptance, our view of others clears, and our need for perfection fades. We realize we're all imperfect beings and that's what makes us individuals and ultimately special. 

So today, be kind to yourself. There's only one of you, and I'm glad you're here. 

BULLY FREE 2Day!

The light in his 5th grade classroom dulled. Timmy had noticed it the other times, too. But today the light was shadowed and extra dim. Maybe it was because more kids were standing to watch instead of sitting. He wasn't sure. 


Tower tossed a glance over his shoulder, like he always did when Ms. Phelps stepped from the classroom. Then he snatched Timmy's pencil from his desk. Timmy closed his eyes and held a breath. The slap-upside-the-head was coming next. It always did. 


Gripping the rim of his desk with both hands, Timmy readied for impact. He imagined escaping to someplace safe like home or even Janitor Smith's office, where he played chess after school with his friend Matt. Sweat beaded beneath the neckline of his baseball t-shirt, his heart practically beating out of his chest. 


Mumbles swirled among his classmates. He figured some were placing bets on whether Tower would knock him out of his chair like yesterday, while others were rejoicing that Tower wasn't picking on them. The somersaults in his stomach were extra rough today, on account that Rachel had been moved to his class last week. He liked her. Like-liked her, not just liked. This would be more embarrassing then on most days. 


Dropping his arms to his sides, he squeezed his fists with all his might, desperate to squelch the urge to fight back. That urge had started a few weeks ago, and it was getting worse. But Tower was huge and played tackle football. He could kill Timmy. Making matters worse, Tower's dad was the police chief. But Rachel was there, the other kids were looking, and Timmy was so tired of being bullied.

What does Timmy do? Does he fight back? Let Tower slap him around and try to forget about it when it's over? Tell a teacher? A parent? Ask his classmates for help? Hurt others become no one has helped him?


What do his classmates do? Idly watch, while Timmy gets clobbered, intimidated, and embarrassed? Stand up for Timmy and have Tower turn on them? Would anyone help them? Would they lose all their friends? 

There is so much going on in the mind while being bullied, while watching someone being bullied, or (gosh forbid) while bullying someone.

The act of bullying will not be stopped by simply exposing the bullies for who they are. Yes, that makes some feel good. I totally understand that. But it's not the cure.

Bullying will not be eradicated - from childhood, adolescence, high schools, and even throughout adulthood - until TOLERANCE and ACCEPTANCE for others' differences is embraced.

Our differences is what makes this world an amazing place to exist. Learn from each other. Be happy for the joy someone else finds in something, even though you don't. They probably don't like all your preferences either.

A bully is someone who looks at you and sees what he/she is lacking.
Bulling is an attempt to fill those holes within themselves.
But it's never enough.
Because bullying is not a cure to making oneself whole, but a disease that slowly degrades ALL those involved.

It's OKAY to tell a bully to stop.
It's OKAY to tell if you are being bullied.
It's OKAY to take a stand against bullying.
It's OKAY if you feel like bullying to ask for help.

You are beautiful, smart, brave, and created in a fantastic way. Each human being is special in his or her own right. And yes, that means you.

Please help stomp out bullying by becoming a member of my daughter's Facebook Group, Bully Free 2Day, and visit HERE to help celebrate the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.

Together we can make a difference.

Support these other fine writers, who are speaking out against bullying today. Thank you!!

Talli Roland - http://talliroland.blogspot.com/

LM Preston - http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/

Donna Martin - http://www.donasdays.blogspot.com

Sheri Larsen - http://www.writersally.blogspot.com/ 

Candace Granger - http://themisadventuresincandyland.blogspot.com/

Jonathon Arntson - http://jonathonarntson.blogspot.com/ 

Nicole Zoltack - www.NicoleZoltack.com 

Jessica Bell -  http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/ 

Dawn Ius -  www.dawnmdalton.blogspot.com

PK Hrezo -  http://pk-hrezo.blogspot.com