Sources

I’ve always admired this picture.

It displayed a great deal of truth. We chase both of those things but never stop to consider the exceptions in which they don’t meet.

Then, somebody went ahead and added something to it.

Treated equitably = Treated with fairness

What did this person do?

Different perspective, sure. But we can dig deeper than that.

What is his perspective?

He went to the source of the problem, and cut its roots.

See, sometimes it is pointless running in circles and jumping hoops in search for a solution, when the initial problem can be eradicated.

It sounds and seems so harmless, and easy, and simple. So why is it so difficult for you to apply it in reality?

You. When you are bullied, called names and getting beaten up. What do you do later?

Cry, I assume. Maybe not, though. Maybe you suck it up and go home without saying a word. And it happens again. Little by little, the things you’re called will seep into your head. You’ll start to believe them. Believe you are stupid, like they said. That you’re trash, like they said. That you’re useless, like they said.

You’ll believe it. Convince yourself that they are right. Something really is wrong with you. You might not even remember that they said those things anymore, because you’ve repeated them to yourself enough times to only remember that you initiated your own self-destruction.

You won’t blame them, you’ll blame yourself.  And the ripple effect will reach every aspect of your life.

That’s one giant problem, isn’t it? One with no expiration date.

…

And?

What? You didn’t think that that was it, did you? That you get to just give up? No. You go to the source. You force yourself to go back to the source. No matter how painful and excruciating it is. You do it.

They said those things. They bullied you. They’re the ones who literally left their business and spent their time on you. Wasted their time making you feel inferior. Like a loser.

It’s them. Not you.

Someone who goes out of their way to spend time inflicting intentional pain onto others… those people are the problem. Whether they be kids, or adults. They’re the source.

Why spend money, time, energy, on brain-storming when you can channel them into a better purpose?

Instead of telling your kid to sit by themselves or they’ll get beaten up… instead of telling them to not fight back… instead of preparing for what’s already out there… fix what’s already out there

.

Look out for them. Violent tendencies shouldn’t be an instinct. Teach them to share, be modest. Because verbal bullying stems from spotting weakness, and it’s tempting to feel superior to that weakness by provoking it. Especially when you’ve been taught to have your own toys, that your clothes are better than that little girl/boy. That you’re smarter than them.

Did you think, kids come up with that stuff on their own?

Their parents, in an attempt to build up their kid’s self-esteem, they boost up their ego as well. And it never goes away.

Just like teaching girls to not talk to boys, to not wear certain clothes. Why not teach your kids to be respectful? To be polite and not objectify any person that walks by?

It’s not cool, it’s not impressive, and it’s a problem. So, eliminate it from its source.

Awareness is the key.

Nothing is more important than kids. They can be annoying and make you want to run away from them. But they are the pillars of all that’s to come. Your job isn’t the priority, your child is. Supervise them. Meet their peers’ parents and have a chat. When did that go out of style? Never.

Teaching and spreading and practicing kindness, understanding, and assistance, is so easy and simple.

So why not? We should have the drive for what’s easy and simple, so we can handle the less so.