When Did We Become So Mean? Being Bullied - Part 2

I've been bullied by WORDS.

In my head were the words, "run Charlene, run!" It was a moment, similar to Forest Gump, as I ran towards the woman's bathroom. I didn't make it in time. Instead, I recall asking and mildly pleading without creating a scene, "just let me in, please!" The door never opened. I walked away.

Twas, my first week of grade nine. We didn't have cell phones, which truthfully I think having access to texting or snap chat or Facebook or Instagram would have been detrimental for me. Instead, we had MSN. Plus, the slowest dial up internet that almost made cyber bullying a challenge. Hence, why we resorted to written notes torn out of our lined duotangs and than crisply folded in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

A few days later, I was given a note. It kindly informed me that I wasn't allowed to be friends anyone. The words, "wasn't allowed" stung and suddenly I lost the closest friends that I had known for six years. Those words, like many other words, changed and transformed areas of my life that didn't require additional pain or hurt or rejection. 

So, why do we use WORDS to bully?
Charlene


RUFFLES,
and that's pretty much what I remember.
It was grade 7(or 8) and this lovely girl in my gym class would use that word to refer to my underdeveloped chest. 
Pretty much, I had no boobs when almost every other girl was developing.
My mom has told me that I cried at home but I do not recall.
All I remember is Ruffles and the name of the girl that came up with it.
I am so thankful that the small amount of bullying I received did not affect me in any long or lasting way.
People can be mean, can bully, and to be honest, the only thing I can think of is....what has happened to them.
TinaMarie



Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.

So wrong...so wrong.

Words do hurt. 

Being called words that in no way reflect or describe the real you.  Being told lies about yourself.  Being harassed with words that cut deeper than any knife.  That cut to the core of your being, that make you wonder if you even really know who you are.

I was bullied with words throughout jr-sr. high school.  I was a misconception because of the words spoken about me.  I was bullied without reason, not that there actually is reason or justification for bullying.  I was bullied with words, by girls who probably didn't even know my name, and most certainly didn't know me. ME!  A real, live, breathing, feeling, growing, uncertain human being.  Just trying to figure out who I was and being told who they thought I was with such crude remarks and hurtful words. 

I remember thinking if those that had spoken such hurtful crass things to and about me, had only just taken the time to know the real me, my heart, well, maybe they'd have not spoken so rashly, maybe they'd have even liked me.

I wish I knew why.  I wish I could have been more confident in myself.  I wish I could have taken a stand.  I wish they could have really know me.  I wish, I wish...words didn't hurt so much.

♫O be careful little mouth what you say♫

Christy Dawn

One Guy. Two Girls. I was the girlfriend and she was the new girl in town. She liked him, I liked him, and he could not decide who he liked.  Within weeks, I became the ex-girlfriend and she became the new girlfriend. It felt like my whole grade six world shifted from me being “in” to me being “out”.  I was no longer one of the popular girls in school, rather my friends became her new BFF’s.  For the first time, I felt like an outcast, unwanted and alone.  I would walk through the hallway and the “in” group would just chuckle and laugh or even worse, they would silently watch me pass by.  Rumors spread that I was  a flirt. As a result, girls choose to not be my friend in fear I would steal their grade six boyfriend.  I felt so alone. I hated going to school and could not wait to get out of middle school.  I was not bullied by words, but I was bullied by their actions. Actions do speak louder than words.   

Challenge:  Jealousy, envy, lies, misconceptions, and rumors are all little seeds that shape and mold our thoughts and actions.  Either we water these little seeds or get rid of them before they grow into nasty weeds.  Take a moment and look into your heart, do you see weeds or good fruit growing?

xoxoxo

Chantelle

How was I bullied...With words, statements, labels. Who was I bullied by??  MYSELF…”Ashley, you’re not good enough, not pretty enough, you don’t have what it takes, and you will never measure up”. I was never bullied by anyone else but my own thoughts, my own declarations. And what even gave me that right? This world can be tough enough, mean enough, hurtful enough without me hurting myself in the process. It is time for us to break the cycle of self-bullying. How do we do this? By no longer speaking over ourselves our truths, but declaring over our lives God’s truth.

 The Word of God says “for YOU created my inmost being, YOU knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise YOU for I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE. Your works are wonderful and I know that full well (Psalm 139:13-14). Every one of us are God’s individual creations, made with love and given individual abilities, gifting’s and talents. God said “I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3). Isn’t it time we show ourselves the same love and kindness that our Creator and Father lavishes upon us?

With Love,

Ashley