Bullying

Words can leave lasting scars

Bullying.  The word alone makes people cringe.  For those who have experienced being bullied, they cringe because it invokes memories from the past.  Memories of cruelty, torment, and shame.  Others may cringe because they think being bullied is a myth.  They get angry at the word and think people need to toughen up and get over it.  Perhaps they even think that the word bullying is a trend.  A word of the moment that the media likes to use for dramatic effect.  The truth is, all of these things may be correct in the right context. 

 

But for some people, who have experienced being tormented by another person, it is not a trend, it is not a matter of being tough, and it is certainly not a laughing matter.  Because they still carry the scars from their past experiences of someone hurting them.  People don’t understand that their words can carry as much weight as a physical blow.  And unfortunately, if someone in this world sees a person that they assume is weak, they will go in for the kill like a wild animal.  While the kill may not be physical, sometimes it is just as violent and destructive as the physical act.  I don’t understand what makes someone enjoy hurting someone else.  In fact, it sickens me.  I went through my fair share of teasing growing up, as I am sure most people have.  But my experience was nothing like what my children went through. 

 

As a parent, it is your responsibility to protect your child.  But when they are being harassed and bullied, we often don’t even realize how bad the situation is until it is too late.   Maybe we even tell them to “toughen up”.  Or perhaps like me, we prayed for the person doing the bullying and for my child.  As a young child, they probably didn’t understand why those prayers were never answered. Honestly, I don’t either.  But I do know that the scars from those experiences are not something that just goes away.  Because while those scars may be invisible, they still are there.   Bullying is not something people should have to live with.  It is not a matter of being weak.  And it is not okay to harass other people.

 

If I had one wish, it would be for people to understand the power that their words hold and that they would be kind when they use them.   Because all people should feel valued.  All people are worthy.  And all people are important.  So please remember that your words have immense power.  They have the power to uplift someone, but they also have the power to destroy someone.