Bullies cannot hide anymore.

They are exposed. Everyone is essentially on the same level. There are no tiers of privilege here. Everyone has the same chance of contacting the virus out there. Bullies are as panic stricken as everyone else. If that is not the case, then we have a real problem. It is how you protect yourself is what is important.

With all the precautions of this world-wide crisis, people are more exposed. Exposed to the view of others, exposed to what they themselves really believe. Most people are becoming less tolerant of being bullied and are more conscious of what they really believe. Pandemics can help people focus on the important ‘stuff’.

Bullies have always been here; they have different names and mean different things to each person. We have a very insecure society and a broken up social and family system. I do not see that we need to change our social system, we just need to reconsider what we are doing as individuals.

Origin of Bully

When the word bully was used in the 16th – 18th centuries, it meant “best-friend”, according to one source, Brook Gibbs*. In America, President Roosevelt used it in the popular and common language term of that time. It meant the best of anything good. You were honored to be called a bully. So why did it change? How come it is the essence of all things negative and harmful, intimidating people and situations? Social aggression has been studied by a variety of researchers and the term was used to describe all the violence in schools arising in society. The definition of bully today is widely difference and opposite of what it was first used as. Let’s change it back! What would it be like to have bullies become friends and allies?

Facts About the History of Bullies

• In the 1600’s bullies were everywhere, and were called
• A blustering gallant
• A bravo
• Hector
• Swashbuckler
• A heavy
• Ruffian
• Thug
• Tyrant
• Browbeater

Characteristics of Bullies

• Bullies are emotionally challenged
• They have issues in their past they have not dealt with
• They appear when there is something or someone to have power over
• Their intent is to cause harm
• They repeat the same bullying behavior repeatedly
• Power is important to them, and they want you to know that fact
• They never stop, always setting you or the situation up to gain pleasure from it

What Bullies Love to Do

They love to spread rumors and gossip, or tell jokes, to you, to your friends or on the internet. They can form cliques, cause you to just fear through verbal, physical, exclusion, anything that they feel will hurt you.

Turn It Around

Why do we treat others with disrespect and anger? Why does society allow injustices? That has always been there and will always be there. So, we know that, but do we have to tolerate it?

Absolutely Not

But do we have to become like the people who bully us? That is up to you. I do not want to become like the person who has hurt me. That turns my stomach. To me, people who are bullies by any definition are lacking in maturity. I have had a history of being bullied or taken advantage of. The only thing that makes it less destructive is that there are really wonderful people out there. And they even come around once in a while. Yes! But, for nearly 14 years I have watched bullying at workplaces. Harassing for one thing or another at work, disagreeing with methods to accomplish a task, misunderstanding what others say, gossiping with untrue accusations, are irritating. Some thought I was way too old (I was tempted to bring an ear horn and a cane to work!). I would use that to my advantage, yeah. But when bullying is done for the purpose of getting someone fired, causing others to blame or disrespect or befriend someone, messing with personal belongings, timecards, FTE’s – is on the childish side. It takes a lot of personal strength and work to counter some of the effects in lives from bullying.

STOP IT

How can we stop bullies, stop injustice, stop unfair treatment? I do not have all the answers, but I do know that each of us do have the answers when it comes to ourselves. I have always tried to learn from the situation and make myself a better person from it. I never hear that advice often. If we get rid of our own prejudices; our own lack of understanding; our lack of insights; our greed and selfishness; where would that put us? It would place us in a higher standard of life than they are. We need to push to become the best we are. So, we can reverse bullying effects on others. I do not want someone controlling me or you, anymore!

Injustices From Inside Our Minds

• We are dealing in this time and society some real injustices, but most of the injustices come from inside ourselves.
• Take care of ourselves first, treat others right, and our society can turn around right.
• Historically that has been done – Early America was set free from a controlling entity which started the beginnings of the United States.

Impossible Changes Made Possible

EVERYONE is bullied or even may be a bully at one time. Think about turning it around – in ourselves. It is the toughest thing to do that I can ever think of. It is not impossible, but near impossible. It starts with the way you think. Get that roped down and you are almost there!

Thinking right is Truth, and Truth is a law, a standard, a regulation that cannot change. It is not an opinion. Bullies and injustice must be stopped, and Truth is the only solution.

Start Your Journey to Freedom by First Being Aware of the Destructive Results That Bullying Has Produced in Lives. Then Choose Freedom!

*Sources: Research on school and family bullying: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3519332/ Brook Gibbs https://youtu.be/–GmlqZkODE https://www.brooksgibbs.com/