In today’s age of social media, it is easier than ever to be a bully. We can negatively comment on a thread, send a threatening private message, or simply talk ill about each other to mutual friends based on what we have seen on social media. This year more than ever, I have read posts by friends about the ugliness they have endured, generally through electronic means. For all of our connectivity, we are not very connected to the feelings of others. The cyber bully sounds off, feels a bit of relief for a moment, and then is left alone with the phone in their hands looking for another place to spread hurt. Let’s remember, those words cut both ways. You don’t get to rant and then walk peacefully away, suddenly a ray of sunshine to the world. The negativity remains with the sender, and the reasons for the negativity are far larger than one comment or post.
Although my current career is focused largely on encouragement, I know I have been a bully. Sometimes I am an accidental bully when someone misinterprets my comment, an e-mail or a text. But I have also been an intentional bully, not treating people who are different from me very well. I have bowed to pressure to exclude certain people because I don’t want to be the uncool one who is friends with the “weirdo.” I hope I am learning from those mistakes, and I honestly believe those missteps are what make me a vigilant supporter of the underdog today.
If you were on the receiving end of “mean” this year, remember the person who hurt you is hurting far worse. As the saying goes, hurt people hurt people. The best we can do is to forgive the sender and to continue to be a light, not allowing those words and actions to negatively shape us. You could take it a step further and allow those moments to elevate you in your drive to do your best.
My daughter is experiencing some problems at school from a few older peers who don’t understand why she wears her hair short and prefers “boy” clothing. She feels sad during those encounters, but, overall, she is a bright, happy girl who loves being her own person. How she wears her hair and her personal style make her happy and comfortable. She seems to inherently understand her own comfort and happiness with her style is more important than making others comfortable with her style. Way to go, my sweet daughter! I am very proud of you.
I don’t generally make resolutions, but in 2019, I want to be inclusive and more kind. I want to think more about the person on the other end than of myself. I vow to keep unhelpful comments to myself, and to stick up for someone who needs it. It is a mean, mean world out there. Let’s make 2019 a kinder year. —Bethany
Related Post Here: Why I Allowed My Daughter to Cut Her Hair
What wonderful and encouraging words! My daughter was getting bullied and excluded too. I was even excluded by other moms. It hurt seeing my daughter so upset. It hurt me that I was being treated the same. Oh, well. Screw ‘em. My daughter is an amazing person and I’m kinda cool (in a weird way!). Thank you for writing this!
Thank you, Mary! I appreciate you reading it. It does trickle through to the parents, doesn’t it? Our tribe finds us. 🙂
What a wonderful piece you have written! D and I were bullied at his first International school here in Bangkok. We were round pegs in a square peg school. He had the attitude of this is me and kept going. I found it hard that kids and parents would not be welcoming, because we were from the US. That was a big lesson to learn that first year. I wasn’t sad for myself, but for the others who were missing out on sharing their culture with us.
I’m glad V is taking it in stride. I just love her spirit. Thanks for sharing your words with us.
Laura, thank you for sharing! What a shame. You are right. They missed an enormous opportunity. 🙂 Thank you for reading this!
Great post! I can totally relate as a mom to a kid who also marches to her own beat and is not afraid to be unique. March on V!!!