Welcome to "Alphabe-Thursday", a weekly writing assignment sponsored by Headmistress, Jenny Matlock from Off On My Tangent! Each Thursday, we take on subsequent letters of the alphabet and produce either prose, pictures or just plain pleasantness about a topic that begins with that letter. This week's letter is not "P", but "T."
In case you haven't noticed, every month seems to host a new champion for various causes, all, of which I believe are important, but maybe not all are important to all people. Case in point: last month, September, was devoted to Child Cancer Awareness, among other important causes. Childhood Cancer has brought me in touch with many courageous and inspiring people whom I may not have otherwise met had I not been made aware through my blogging. This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a cause which hits close to home for me, and I pray for and support all of those who have been affected. October is also National Bullying Prevention month with activities and fundraisers throughout the month to promote the awareness and the urgency of change. Click
here for more information.
The job I left behind was one at a middle school that offers much needed help to those who have been bullied. It's no longer acceptable behavior, and offenders are dealt with swiftly and efficiently. I think this is a good first step. I believe we have to take a step back, however, and look at why the kids partake in this destructive behavior. What is going on at home, with friends, and at the homes of those friends, etc.? I grew up in a home with bullying behavior. I attended school with bullies. Back then (when dinos roamed) it was "just a part" of growing up and I had "better get used to it!" To fight back meant possible ostracism. To dish it back out meant that I was as low as those who initiated it. I've witnessed in occurring in my family today.
We have a chance to break the cycle. We can start right now with our own kids and other members of our families. Stand up for yourself, and teach your children to do the same. Once our children see us stand up, they will follow. Their examples will rub off on their peers and spread like wildfires!
Adults need to tell other adults that they won't be treated in a bullying manner. Sometimes, people don't realize they are bullying. They've been doing it so long that it has become a part of their personality and because others have accepted it, there's no reason to change. Don't accept bullying! If you are a bully, and you want to change, there is help out there for you. Find that help now.
If you know of anyone, adult or child, who has been hurt by bullies, please offer them a kind word of support. Try a little tenderness, and watch how wounds can be healed. That tenderness, too, can spread like wildfires!
Thanks for stopping by my soapbox today! Please click on Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday logo below to enjoy some of the "T" assignments of my classmates!
