Have you ever wondered why certain people just feel they can throw you off course or break you with their pathetic bullying antics? Or perhaps think that they have every right to pick on anyone to annoy or intimidate them? Bullying in school, the workplace, or even in some random street is not really new.
“Bullying” is a social disease which has been existing since the advent of humankind. We just gave it its name, its title.
So let’s dive a bit deeper for a better understanding of this social horror that plagues every corner of the globe.
Dr. Google expounds on the word "bullying" as having originated from the late 16th century. As I read on, I came to understand that the term "bully" was initially used to mean "sweetheart" or "darling" in the 1500s. Uy how sweet naman pala!
Does this mean that these social misguided entities used to see their victims as “darlings” but mistreat them? Huh? Quite confusing if you ask me. So, to understand how this actually works, I read on and determined that as time passed, the meaning of the term “bully” took a 360 degree turn towards gaining a more negative connotation as someone who uses intimidation through repeated aggressive behavior against others.
So what can a victim of “bullying” and harassment do to shield oneself from the adverse mental effects of this most unacceptable behavior?
When bullying happens, there is the “bully’ and there is the “victim”. Owing to numerous possible factors which contributes to his behavior such as insecurities, dysfunctional life, or perhaps the desire for attention, a bully also draws his strength from the victim’s cowering reaction which is eventually weakened once the victim steps up and re-claims his self-worth.
From a personal perspective, first and undoubtedly the most important shield is to believe in yourself. Know your worth. Keep developing your skills. Amass a wealth of experience and knowledge. Remain calm and professional, armed with a strong sense of well being and healthy mental faculties. Be kind. Try to understand where the person’s gnawing proclivity to “bully” is coming from, without necessarily allowing oneself to be victimized with their harsh words and cruelty. If the situation worsens, explore legal remedies to send a strong signal and to integrate them in communities that may support and aid in their journey to healing and reformation.
Bullies should also realize that the more they exude negativity into the vast and sensitive universe, they are bound to expect a boomerang of a thousand fold of the same energy and more. Tsk! Tsk! Katakot yan! Kayo din!
Remember that we all are God’s creations. We all have our individual life journeys to tread, challenges to overcome, learnings to perceive, our well being to care for and our triumphs to celebrate. NO ONE is bequeathed even with the most minute right to mistreat people to serve their grossly overrated ego.
So you there, if you are one of those overbearing characters who feed on your misplaced egos and intimidate or harass other people thinking that you are better than everyone else, in better look at yourself long and hard in the mirror and re-think your options.
Moral of the story, “Huwag maging bully kung ayaw pumanget!”
In short - Huwag maging BULLY-NGET!
Love and light
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