Stand up to bullies

My week has provided me with many things - busy happy kids, stimulating conversations about books / community / life, the near completion of my new knitted winter scarf and a few life lessons along the way.
One of the lessons included the stark reminder that some people in this world needed to learn how to have more grace and humility through this journey of life that we all walk through, and it was a reminder that bullying is not just a child's issue ... it is alive and well in the land of grown-ups, much to my dismay.
This week provided me with a pivotal moment ... and I consciously made a courageous choice and stood up for myself ... which I should have done long before this point. But it left me pondering...why is it that even though I am a strong, articulate woman, in moments of conflict and intimidation I am too often rendered silent and incapable of shielding myself from the bullies of this world? The feeling of shutting down and shame is one that I have felt on far too many occasions and yet I am the first one to intervene when another person is on the receiving end of a bully's torment. Is it easier for us to accept a bully's abuse than to see it inflicted on another person? For me I guess that's so... I have a thick skin and broad shoulders to boot, but even I can only take so much. An anxious moment of courage was absolutely worth the liberating feeling of taking back control. However, what I have come to realise is that there are many silent victims who feel powerless and embarrassed by their situations. I don't pretend to have all of the answers to this huge issue but I do think small steps in speaking out and active intervention can make a huge difference. Sometimes even just someone speaking up and naming the bad behaviour can help call those bullies into account. Being the role model of anti-bullying behaviour can be the beginning of positive change.
In that moment of courage I asked myself this question ... What kind of role model do I want to be for my children, for my friends and family and even for my community?
My response: One that won't tolerate or enable abuse at any level.... And I took a stand.
What kind of role model do you want to be?
This Friday, May 20, New Zealanders are being encouraged to celebrate Pink Shirt Day and stand together to take action against bullying. Celebrated annually around the globe, Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying, mobilising their whole school, after a peer was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Pink Shirt Day aims to create schools, workplaces and communities where all people feel safe, valued and respected.
I encourage you, and your workplace, to play a part in awareness-raising of this issue, by wearing a pink shirt next Friday. It's another public way to make a stand. Check out the link for more information - www.pinkshirtday.org.nz/
Have a wonderful week, cultivate some kindness in your community and Carpe Librum!
¦ For more information please feel free to contact me kelly@whanganuilibrary.com or via my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/inkedlibrarian/ or follow me on twitter @inkedbibliofilo