Friday Quote Of The Day (Kick Ass When They Harass)

A couple of decades ago, if I ever heard the word "bullying" being mentioned, I would have automatically thought of the way in which certain kids treat others so horribly at school. I always believed it was just an immature act committed by teenagers and children, and that once people entered into adulthood, they wizened up and put such meanness and nastiness behind them. Oh how I was wrong! Sadly, it seems that so many people never mature at all, or improve their behavior whatsoever. The act of bullying is defined as "seeking to harm, intimidate, or coerce someone", especially those who are perceived as vulnerable. I can certainly remember one time at school when I was bullied, as another fellow student bailed me up in the corner of the classroom and began to belittle and mock me. As far as being bullied since I have left school though, I have actually lost count of the number of times I've had to face this sort of harassment by others. Whilst there have been a couple of instances in which I have been out on the town for a night out with friends, and some bully has decided to confront me and antagonize me into a fight, the majority of bullying has come from people trying to coerce, intimidate, and negatively influence me. Most of this bullying has actually occurred over the past four years, which coincidentally has been the time since I started committing to achieving my goals in life. The worst part to this though is that the biggest culprits who have been bullying and harassing me the most, have actually been those related to me, and those whom I believed to be a friend. Yep, people who claim they love and care about me, have become mere bullies, and unfortunately, they cannot even see any issues with their behavior or actions.

As mentioned above, we know that one form of bullying revolves around the physical side of things, where people love to physically push others around, or are violent towards others. They seem to relish in starting fights and disagreements. It's like they view someone as being weak and incapable of defending themselves, so they take the opportunity to showcase some superiority by using their strength, and begin physically abusing this person, in a bid to feel better about themselves. This could be off the back of having been bullied themselves previously in life, or because they believe it will improve their social status and make themselves look strong and powerful, or they simply just use others as an outlet to take out their frustration and anger. I can't answer why people could possibly believe that any form of physical violence is an acceptable act, and I can only put it down to the fact they have a major psychological problem, evident by the fact they never have no remorse for their actions and behavior. Whilst physical bullying and violence is a problem in itself, the other side to bullying can be equally as harmful, and that is mental bullying. From something as simple as insulting someone, name calling, verbally abusing someone, gossiping and lying about someone, or threatening someone, the words that come out of our mouths can severely scar people mentally, and have a damaging affect on their life moving forward. We all experience times of frustration and anger, but when we take this out on others, we enter into bullying and harassment territory, and that's not acceptable. We are better than that! One outlet of bullying, which has actually become one of the most common platforms of bullying nowadays, is cyber bullying. The luxury of being able to sit behind our computer monitor, or behind our phone screen, and type words of abuse, criticism, and hurt, without having to worry about this person we are verbally attacking being right in front of us to harm us, it couldn't be more convenient. Social media has become the ideal outlet for people to express their frustrations and anger in life, but whilst people may believe this is perfect for themselves mentally, it is coming at a huge expense to others. As a result of this verbal abuse and harassment, mainly all because someone has a difference in opinion or belief, it is having such a negative affect on people mentally, that we are seeing large numbers of people committing suicide, purely for the way they are being treated so badly.

The bullying and harassment I want to talk about specifically today, revolves around how others try and coerce and bully us into doing what they want us to do in life. I mentioned above, that since I've started to pursue my goals in life, where I have started making decisions and executing actions that are working towards these goals, and a life blessed with success, happiness, and fulfillment, for myself, that I have experienced more bullying and harassment than ever before. Anyone who makes the same decision, in pursuing their own goals in life, will undoubtedly experience the same treatment. There is a reason behind this, not that it really is a decent or acceptable reason however. The reason is that if we dare make decisions, or execute actions, that do not fit the agenda of someone, or that inconveniences them in some form or another, or that doesn't suit what they want for us in life, they become very angry and frustrated. Even though we know what we are doing is in our best interest, and for our welfare and happiness, they don't see it that way. We are going against their wishes and desires, and that annoys them big time. What do they then resort to? Bullying and harassment, of course. They will try and coerce us to follow their instructions and advice, insisting that if we don't follow what they are suggesting, that we will fail, we will get ourselves in desperate trouble, and that we will end up getting hurt. In all fairness, those that love us don't like seeing us getting hurt or failing. Especially as a parent, the last thing we want to see is our children get hurt, or have to deal with the emotions that come with failure, rejection, and adversity. The thing is, adversity and failure is a part of life. As horrible as it is to go through, which we know full well that feeling ourselves, it ends up providing us with invaluable experience, learning, and growth, all which are vital to our development in life, and even to our successes. This is where it becomes a fine line between interfering and truly caring about someone. At the end of the day, we should never be telling others how to live their life, what decisions they have to take, and what actions they need to take, especially when it's against their will. We can indeed offer some advice where needed, but we have an obligation to respect the decisions and actions of others, even if we disagree with them. We have our own life to live, we have no right to interfere in the lives of others, no matter who they are in relation to us.

You may ask what the difference is between giving advice to someone you care about, and where you cross the line to bullying and harassing them? When giving advice to others, the first rule is that you offer your advice based on what you have personally experienced yourself, not just from what you have heard, or what you believe to be the truth. Second rule, give the advice on what you genuinely believe is in their best interest, and not in your own. You know full well, deep inside you, whether you are advising on what you believe is best for them, or whether it's just to satisfy your own desires and agenda. Just because they may be doing something you wouldn't do yourself, doesn't make it wrong, even if it is against the grain, or what you deem as unusual. Third rule is, back off! It's fine to give advice to someone with the genuine intent to help them succeed and find happiness, but if they decline to take your advice, then leave it at that. No matter how much their decisions and actions may frustrate you, in continuing to repeatedly persuade them into following your advice then crosses the line over into harassment and bullying territory. Fourth rule is, control your emotions. Speaking with a demanding tone and raised voice, or approaching them with a dominating and superior style body language, only proves that you are thinking of yourself, and not them and their welfare. Too bad if they are not doing what you want them to do! Fifth rule is, do away with the guilt tripping! One of the lowest forms of bullying and harassment is emotional manipulation. Never try making people feel guilty or bad for the decisions they make, and the actions they take, especially because of what they are doing not fitting your agenda. Sixth rule, enough with the threats. Stop threatening someone that you will withdraw your support for them, or you will part ways with them, or you will make them regret their decisions and actions. That is bullying down to a tee. Seventh rule, support and encourage them. If you truly love and care about someone, even despite them following their own heart, and turning their back on the advice you give them, you should throw your wholehearted support behind what they are trying to achieve. Motivate them, inspire them, encourage them, support them, and be there to lift them back up when they confront failures and setbacks, because guaranteed, they will, and that's when they will need you the most.

Whether you have been on the receiving end of bullying and harassment, or perhaps you are a guilty party, and have been bullying and harassing others into following your instructions and advice, enough is enough! We each have been blessed with our own life, a life we can choose to live in whichever way we want, however we want. Everyone has the freedom to make decisions and execute actions that they believe are in their best interest for their happiness, welfare, health, future, and their goals, provided it is lawful of course. We each have a right to be happy, and to be designing a life that brings us satisfaction and fulfillment. You may care deeply for someone, love them dearly, and don't ever want to see them fail or get hurt, but let them make their own decisions, and don't make them feel guilty for them. Inspire, not interfere! Bullying and harassing others achieves nothing, apart from revealing that you have insecurities about yourself. If you are someone who is on the journey towards achieving your goals, and a life blessed with happiness and success, be prepared for this bullying and harassment, because unfortunately, your decisions and actions will indeed piss people off. That's not your problem though, it's theirs! No matter if it's your parents, your friends, your workmates, your partner, your children, your relatives, your neighbors, or even total strangers, never let anyone bully and harass you into following their advice. The only thing you should be following is your heart! Don't let people bring you down and make you feel guilty, all because your decisions and actions are inconveniencing them, because you are responsible for your own happiness, just as they are with their own. Don't be afraid to part ways with people who try and negatively influence, bully, manipulate, and harass you, no matter who they are. Surround yourself with people who are positive minded, inspirational, encouraging, supportive, goals driven, and motivational, because it's these individuals who will help you on your journey to your goals and happiness in life. So when people bully you, ignore them, go forth, accomplish your goals, and prove them to be foolish. Have the courage to stand up to them, and remain focused on what you want to achieve in life. When people bully, simply kick ass when they harass!

#Friday #FridayMotivation #motivation #quote #bullying #harassment #manipulation #influence #guilt #goals #decisions #actions #focus #FollowYourHeart #happiness #success #satisfaction #fulfillment #advice #criticism #support #care #encouragement #inspring #uplift #WindOfChangeNow