Bullying, “STOP IT”~ How bullying affected my life

Throughout my life bullying has been there. I had a very low self esteem as a young girl and teenager even though everyone that knew me never knew how I felt about myself. I’m sorry to say that it was not the people at my school bullying me, it was my sister.

I was bullied emotionally. Told I was fat and ugly. That no one would marry me because I had psoriasis. I believed what she said. In turn, she was bullied by my other sister just older than her.

That’s how it works sometimes. Someone who is being a bully at school, is most likely being bullied at home, or by someone else. We feel like we have to unload it on others to make ourselves feel better.

My sister and I are good friends now and we love each other and talk to each other on a regular basis, and even like hanging out with each other. But it definitely took a life change, and a change of heart for that to happen.

I still have many moments of self doubt. My husband knows this about me. He is so good to remind me how much he loves me and of my worth. We all need to find friends who will build us up, not tear us down.

I do NOT tolerate bullying in my own home. If my kids say one tiny thing mean to or about one of their siblings, there are serious consequences. Including saying 10 nice things about that person to their face, and hugging for 3 minutes straight.

There is NO excuse for anyone to say anything mean about another human being. NO EXCUSE. We are all trying our best in this life. Learning as we go. We need to see others as our brothers and sisters, all trying to make it back home. We should be helping lift each other, not tear each other down.

Of course I have made mistakes in my life. I have said bad things about others, to others. But I learned quickly how much that can hurt. How much damage it can do to someone’s soul.

If we look at each other through God’s eyes, we would love, not bully.

The following is taken from a talk from one of my favorite persons on earth. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint’s. He hits the nail on the head about bullying. Please read it, or watch the following video. And get out your tissues, cause you’ll need them.

PLEASE show this video to your kids too . . . Take it away Elder Uchtdorf.

“We are all children of God. We are all brothers and sisters. I imagine that every person on earth has been effected someway by the destructive spirit of contention, resentment and revenge.

Perhaps there are times that we recognize the spirit in ourselves.

We are not perfect, the people around us are not perfect.

People do things that annoy, disappoint and anger. Though we can not look into another’s heart, we assume that we know a person with a bad motive or a bad person when we see one.

When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following “STOP IT”.

Consider the following questions as a self test:
-Do you harbor grudge against someone else?
-Do you gossip, even when what you say may be true?
-Do you exclude, push away, or punish others because of something they have done?
-Do you secretly envy another?
-Do you wish to cause harm to someone?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to apply the sermon “STOP IT”.

Haven’t we all, at one time or another, meekly approached the mercy seed and pleaded for grace? Haven’t we wished with all the energy of our souls for mercy? To be forgiven for the mistakes we have made and the sins we have committed?

Forgiving ourselves and others is not easy and for most of us it requires a major change in our attitude and way of thinking. EVEN a change of HEART.

There is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without us adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness and resentment. This mighty change of heart is exactly what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to bring about.

Let us be kind, let us forgive, let us talk peacefully with each other, let us do good unto all men. Allowing us to see others the way our Heavenly Father sees us as flawed, imperfect mortals who have potential and worth far beyond our capacity to imagine.

Because God loves us so much, we too must love and forgive. Remember, in the end, it is the merciful, who obtain mercy.”

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Let us oft speak kind words to each other. The kind words we give shall in memory live.

One of my blogging friends daughter is the Blonde getting bullied in this video. Read her story HERE.

I’ve made these free printables for you to display in your home as a reminder to always speak kindly. You can download them HERE. Choose your color.

Annette