Bullying has to stop!

Bullying is such a complicated issue. Kids bully others because they have been bullied or are insecure about themselves. They don't want to be treated poorly, but instead of using that to fuel kindness, they look for "easy" targets and hurt others. The result? So many hurt feelings and so much sadness, at all ages.

It breaks my heart to see anyone mistreated, but it's a whole different level when someone hurts a child. Why?! Why would you ever want to hurt an innocent child?!

I want to believe that people sometimes don't understand the damage their cruel words can cause. Sometimes even an oddly timed, or poorly worded, compliment can actually hurt. 

Telling a child their outfit makes them "look slim" or that "they've lost their baby chunk" is not ok! Telling a child that "a whole family" could fit into their oversized sweater is not ok. No one has the right to comment on a child's body type or size! These comments stay with a person. 

Growing up, I was told that my legs were too sporty for dresses. That has stayed with me my whole life. I avoided all dresses that weren't down to my ankles until I was about 36. It may sound simple and basic, but it plagued me. Not to mention being called 4-eyes, pleasantly plump, told I had a bald spot where my hair separated and more. 

Why as adults do people still bully and judge and act like they don't know better?? We know better! We have all experienced bullying at some point, or many points. Stop the cycle!

Insults hurt even when we know they aren't valid. If you hear something enough, you start to wonder if perhaps it is actually true. A virgin is called a slut and starts to believe it. How awful is that?!

Words can hurt or they can heal. Choose kindness over cruelty! Lift people up, instead of finding flaws. Congratulate people on their efforts and individuality, instead of judge them because they aren't you.

Bullying has to stop! It can literally claim lives and it is well within our capacity to end this epidemic!