Bullies

Saw a sneak peak (and shortened version) of "Bully" tonight. So many emotions go along with seeing a movie like this.
The first is profound sadness that we have come to a place that bullying is prevalent enough to justify a full length documentary.
Just as important is hope...because we have come to that place and there are enough people that feel strongly enough to make a documentary about it.
Gratitude-that everyone involved understands and is committed to the project.
Sympathy-that I wasn't nice to everyone nor was everyone nice to me in school.
Empathy-that speaking up is often enough. It isn't always enough but it is a critical starting place. If you feel someone else in pain...do not stay quiet. Bullies almost always run from the light. They run from someone standing up to them. And if the light and standing up aren't enough, then speaking up...telling those in charge...is important, too. Sometimes, (as shown in movie), those in charge shouldn't be in charge. That ignoring or talking over or promising change will not make the bullies go away. But that doesn't mean that we just give up.
Speak up.
Over and over and over if you have to do so.
Getting those that belong as teachers and aides and administration is mission critical. Most that are there belong there and are there because they get it. But there are enough who are there that have no business being there that we need to heighten the bar.
Our differences are what make us so amazing. It is the core reason for our survival as a species. And, it is the reason for our incredible feats as people. Sure, "pretty" people often win more and get more have more and do more and are more than "ugly" people. But....in this case you have to define three very important words: pretty, ugly, more.
Pretty outside has absolutely nothing to do with pretty inside. When you have both, it is a game changer for sure. But, pretty inside really and truly matters so much more than pretty outside.
Ugly? It is so subjective. At almost 44...I am not looking to have beautiful people in my life....unless we are talking about beautiful souls. Pretty doesn't stay forever...at least on the outside. It does on the inside.

More? What does that even mean? More money? More house? More vacations? More friends? More shoes? My wish for you is that you are in a place where that word doesn't even exist. You don't want more. You don't need more. You are being the best you can be, sharing your talents and your gifts, loving the people that matter and that more is a word you use only when you want dessert.
The only other place I would use the word "more" is in the number people seeing this movie and committing to the work that has to take place to make it go away.
We don't all have to be best friends. That is the stuff of unicorns and candy rainbows. We do, however, have to be kind to one another. You don't have to look like me or love like me or believe what I do...we are all here together. Love is something to treasure. To never take for granted. And, something that every human being, regardless of how he or she looks, loves, walks, talks, lives, is worthy of experiencing. But...if you are going to be ugly and withhold or it judge that someone is unworthy...you and I are going to have an issue.

Simple. Kindness. Acceptance. You don't have to love my warts...just accept them. I will work to accept yours, too.
Maybe one day, when each one of us is perfect, an entry like this will be hard to understand. Until then, I will keep writing. And finding patience for you and for me. And speaking up. And trying with my heart and my fingers and all that I am to make sure that not one more teenager...or anyone for that matter takes his own life because the rest of us can't find a way to be kind.
As a matter of fact, suicide is the awful unimaginable part of this ugliness. Why don't we start with no more folks feeling alone and isolated and humiliated and hopeless? If we start there, the rest of it will just slip away.

Are you ready to stand with me so that no one else has enough material to make another documentary on the results of our being so incredibly (and absolutely unjustifiably) mean to one another?