Over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year! Bullying is a distinctive pattern of deliberately harming and humiliating others. Bullies are made, never born! But one thing to always keep in mind is that bullies couldn’t exist without victims, and they don’t pick on just anyone; they choose the weak as to why people say pick on someone your own size. Bullies don’t usually pick on the self confident, strong person they choose the weak and the scared to help boost whatever self confidence they wish they had.
Don’t be a bully, treat everyone with respect. Stop and think before you say something that could hurt someone. What if the shoe were on the other foot? How would you feel? How would you handle it? If you find yourself taking your aggression out on innocent people find something else to do with your time or speak to someone on how you are feeling at the time. Everyone is different not one of us was made like another person. So why choose to bring someone down because they don’t fit the mold you think they should. Different is great, it’s not weird or bad it is just something different.
If you are being bullied here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Stand tall and look at the person bullying you straight in the eyes and tell him or her to stop in a calm, strong and assertive voice.
- If speaking up seems too hard or not safe, ignore them and walk away. Don’t fight back!
- Talk to someone you trust and don’t ever keep your feelings hidden inside. Find someone that can help you make a plan to stop the bullying.
- Stay away from places where bullying happens. Don’t put yourself in vulnerable positions.
- Don’t play the bullying game; don’t give them ammunition.
- Buddy Up! Travel the halls with friends, and walk home with others. Bullies will be less likely to pick on a group of kids.
Here is a picture of my girls enjoying Stomping Out Bullying ! 🙂
Are you a witness to bullying? Please talk to someone and let them know the situation before it escalates to something far worse. Also be kind to whoever is being bullied. Talk to them or invite them to hang out so they know they are not alone. This can dramatically alter a persons life especially if it’s been a long term bullying situation. Not saying anything could make it worse for everyone. The person who is being bullied will think there is no light to their tunnel and might do something in the end that can be very regrettable to many lives around them.
Please get involved! Go to your principal and ask if you can open an anti bullying club, make a blog, write about it in your school newspaper. You can even open a anti bullying hot line or hosts anti bullying parades and dances. Let your voice be heard!
I’d like to end on this note. I have been there I know what bullying feels like. I was bullied from 1st all the way to 5th grade. It was ages ago but the scars from all those years of bullying was still there. I was a very quiet and shy kid so I guess that made me an easy target and I was treated pretty much like dirt. By the time I was 15 I realized I was feeling so depressed because I hadn’t gotten over being bullied and I realized that I needed to come to terms with that in order to move on with my life.
You have to forgive because if you live with this hatred in your heart all your doing is hurting yourself. Forgiveness! From my experience I learned so much and its made me a stronger and wiser person. I always could depend on my family, coming home felt amazing, being surrounded by so much love and laughter. I’ve come a long way in my life and I’m doing amazing. Don’t let what’s happening now affect your whole life. You will get over it, it will end and you will get the last laugh. It’s rare to see a bully succeed later in life and get over the whole I ruled high school facade. If your being bullied please stay strong because life has so much in store for you! Positive vibes.
