Sorry for the more serious tone of this post, but I really wanted to discuss this pressing issue.  I know we’ve talked about bullying behavior before but I don’t think we think about the sever consequences that can happen as a result.  It is so disappointing and sad to me that consequences like this article discusses happen, more than we even know about. 

If any of you have examples of this or have been a victim of this or maybe even the instigator, I’d love your comments – please feel free to email me or post a comment here.  This is a serious issue to me and we really need to pay attention to it.

Here is the link to the article: http://usat.me?38160220
 *Summer

Anyway, I wanted to post a blog site here and also the book title and author who inspired the “Mean Girls” movie.  The blog post has a entry called, “Don’t be a mean girl” and I loved it.  I believe that site has gone to another newer site now but I still wanted to post this one.

Look around and evaluate yourself in your friendship role.  It might surprise you how many “mean girls” surround you or maybe even how often you, yourself might be being a “mean girl.”

Blog Address:  http://www.ibabuzz.com/lip/2008/05/19/dont-be-a-mean-girl/ 

 The book is entitled, “Queen Bees and Wannabes” by Rosalind Wiseman 

Please comment and let me know about your experiences!

*Summer

Gone are the days where bullying is limited to in-person or face-to-face contact with someone.  Now, there is more and more bullying taking place on-line.  We have to be aware that although there might be less bullying face-to-face, that might only be because people are more fearful of others reactions.  However, on-line, we can say anything without one single reaction from anyone else.  This is something I believe we all need to be more aware of.  If you have been involved…STOP!  If you have been a victim of this, please tell someone that you trust and get support and help.

We can’t feel like we need to live in a cyber-world of fear.  Be cautious about what you post about yourself and others and ask before you post something personal about someone else.

At a later time, I will write about how to better resolve conflict with friends but for now we would like you to know that this site is a place where you can be anonymous and no one needs to know your name or stories if you don’t want.  If you feel like you want to however, feel free to write about it and we would love your input about this and how you have dealt with it. 

*Summer

The lyrics to this song are pretty heavy, but the message is incredible. Sometimes we are unaware of the impact that our words can have on others. Even words that are said during seemingly meaningless conversations can affect peoples lives in a major way.

The direction of my own life, on a more positive note, was changed by an offhand comment by a friend. I had made up my mind to follow a career path that would not have been something that I loved, or something that was challenging to me. I had a pretty low opinion of myself and my capabilities to accomplish anything remarkable. I was talking to this friend and she said, “Mat, I just think you are too smart to do that.”  She probably has not thought of that conversation since. I have thought of it many times as that one comment gave me the confidence to do something that I truly love and to accomplish big goals in my life. That was over 10 years ago and I still think about that night. It is one of the pivotal moments that changed the direction of my life.

Words are unbelievably powerful. Powerful enough to build others up or destroy them. Let us choose to be one who builds others.