Bullies

In life no matter your age or where you are there are bullies. It starts at the playground when we are little. You get pushed and called names and that’s where it begins. Some people bully because they were bullied. There is really no excuse for it though. I was lucky because even though I was bullied growing up I always had my big sister who stood up for me when I couldn’t stand up for myself. To this day I get bullied. In the past year I was bullied by a girl because I had an ostomy bag for six weeks. I am about to paste a direct quote from this girl so here is your warning that it may be vulgar. “How about you do us all a favor and kill yourself?” “And what's funny is no one likes YOU Haley except for your animals. Screw off and die already.” There is much more to the messages she sent me, basically telling me over and over to kill myself. Why have we let the world come to this? Why do people feel comfortable telling someone else to kill themselves? I rose above the mean words sent to me but there are people all over the world who don’t. People take their lives because of the bullies who use just their words to degrade a person completely. Remember “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”? Words do hurt. I have seen my little cousins bullied at school where he was physically hit and his bully told the other boys not to talk to him. Another cousin hates going to school so much because of his bullies that he does everything he possibly can to not go. Why do the other boys not like him? It’s because he is smart. He isn’t interested in sports. It’s something that little that has caused bullies to hurt him. As a swim teacher there were certain students that I really make a connection with. I care very strongly for them. Every lesson I ask how their day was and how was school. Nothing broke my heart more than when a student would tell me about getting bullied. It’s sad that you think after school when you are grown up that you will no longer get bullied but it still happens. My grandma is incredible at her job yet she is bullied by her boss and nurses. I’ve had a boss tell me to put a bag on my head and seal it. I’ve even had a teacher bully me due to my illness. My question is where will it stop? There is no compassion in the world anymore. We say hurtful things when we are angry. I know I do. Those words can’t be taken back though. You can apologize and say how you didn’t mean it but it still sticks. You can give a person all kinds of compliments but say one hurtful thing and that’s what they will remember. I’m not a parent and I don’t know if I ever will be but for me teaching kids not to bully is more important than teaching them not to put their elbows on the table. You have to start teaching them young. Now that’s not saying that it’s too late for other people because if you show kindness and compassion for others people catch on. Making someone smile and laugh is such an amazing and beautiful feeling. Knowing that you were able to turn someone’s day around or even just make them smile once is a feeling unlike any other. Bullies get a power rush when they are able to make someone cry and question their point in living. That power rush doesn't last but making someone choose life over death does. So from now on please no matter what your age or the situation if you see someone being bullied stop it before it’s too late. Show your kindness and compassion. Love everyone for who they are. Love them for just being there. Love them for being human. I have a tattoo that says “…do not punish yourself for not being perfect (no one can achieve perfection) learn from your mistakes, be yourself, and know that God loves you and I do too. With much love and pride Grandpa.” I read this every day. Bullies will point out your flaws but no one is perfect and that’s okay. Love others and love yourself. Life is better with love not hate.