Man is often compared to dogs. We have a dog's life, the dogs of war, don't bite the hand that feeds you (compaing us to a dog that bite's it's master and then goes hungry), and of course... you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
In reality we are much like these canine friends of man. We tend to be pack animals where we follow the "big" dog and respond to their barking orders without hesitation or thinking on our own. It is easy. It is safe. We aren't the ones who made the decision to do that since we were just followers. We have an escape mechanism built right in for us. The louder the growling the more we either growl right along with it or back off and cower in a corner with our tails between our legs.
The reality is that when we follow the leader as he/she runs through the neighborhood biting and scratching - howling for more to follow then we become just as complicit as the big dog at the front whether we sit in a corner or are running the streets with that mangy cur.
It's not too late to change. If there is any bullying situation going on from actual physical abuse to trash talking not only can each of us decide not to be a part of it, we can decide to speak or even act against it. I don't advocate putting oneself into harms way especially when you are not capable or prepared to handle it. This does not prevent using a phone to call for help or if need be screaming at the top of your lungs to draw attention to a situation. All it takes sometimes is to draw it out into the open and confront it for it to go away. This goes for being a parent and seeing something wrong within a school and discussing it with the principal or talking with your children or grand children about their life and if they are happy as well as walking down the street with your eyes wide open and looking at your neighborhood, the stores, the business, or your next door neighbor.
Bullying can take many forms and might even start off as playful. Yet, even "playful" can be hurtful. There is no such thing as "it was only in gest" hurtful words are still hurtful and will eventually build up and erode - especially when they are applied to a fragile id. I was once told that they are "only words" and "don't you remember sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me"?
This has been spread as one of the biggest lies of old and modern times. It has lead us to believe that we may say whatever we want - my father/mother said it to me - I'm sure their parents said it to them and unfortunately I said it to my children. I beg you not to spread this lie - it will hurt in the long run. I have stopped and so can you. It is no longer just about not being a victim, but not creating new victims or those that might victimize.
If words were only words how is that they start wars - They create peace - They start civil rights movements - And they cause people who were shy and compassionate to go on hideous rampages creating havoc and discontent and even death?
Was Lincoln's Gettysburg Address merely words?
Was Churchill speaking only words when he stated "We will fight them on the beeches, .... we'll fight them with the butts of bloody broken beer bottles..."
Was that single word Rosa Parks spoke, "No", when asked to move to the back of the bus just a word?
Was Martin Luther King merely speaking words when he exclaimed "I have a dream!"
We must be more responsible for our individual actions and words as well as the actions and words of any group that we might belong to. This includes our families. We don't need to be a pack animals. Don't join into a bad situation just because you want to be part of the pack and therefore feel like you belong. Don't say words that you don't mean just because it is "funny" or spoken in gest. Words will lead to actions and create feelings.... words are not just words. So choose your words carefully. Please go through life with your eyes and ears open.
Gaiscioch is not just a social and gaming community. Read through the credos - it is a way of life. I am Gaiscioch - are you? It is not too late to change.
Safe journ all.
