Bullying Doesn't Kill You

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Zac Efron was bullied as a teenager.

Tyler Swift had some problems in Junior High with other girls bullying her.

Demi Lavato talks about her struggles with being bullied that led to her being an ambassador for an anti-bullying campaign.

Taylor Lautner had issues with bullies as well.

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If you are being bullied, you are in great company. The list is extremely long of people who have been bullied and not only survived but thrived.

You may feel alone. Like you're the only one going through tough times. You are not alone nor will you ever be.

The four steps to follow to bully proof yourself are:

1. Increase Your Personal Value - Believe in Yourself.

It is a decision you make and action you take. Make the decision that you are important. If you weren't, you wouldn't be here. The miracle of birth is just that. A miracle. You are perfect just as you are.

2. Change Your perspective – Look at Things Differently.

If you feel bad, compare yourself to someone else. You have a right leg because you have a left leg. There is up because there is down. If you feel short, find someone shorter to stand next to. If you feel tall, you got it, find someone taller. Mark Eaton is 7’ 4”. Believe me you’re short compared to him.

3. Plan Some Responses.

These are one liners you can use in bullying situations. When you’re stressed or emotional, you can’t think. Bring the emotion down and you can think again. That is why you want to have some short one liners you can use when you get in an emotional situation. Remember to have them prepared for when you bully yourself. People are more critical of themselves than others.

4. Practice.

People practice everything they want to get better at. Athletes will spend hours to get a fraction better. The extra degree; that little bit more, makes all the difference. Measure, monitor, and adjust as you go along. The best way to stop a bully is to ask them a question. What did you have for breakfast? What is your favorite color? What are you doing this weekend? People are programed to answer questions. When asked a question, you move into your thinking brain the cerebrum. People bullying because they are reacting to the negative things in their life and many times because it is a habit. They are not thinking about what they are doing. Get them out of their reactive brain and into their thinking brain and they stop bullying. Practice thinking in stressful situations so you can think and not just react.

It is not okay to seek revenge just because you have been bullied. It is not okay to hurt yourself because you have been bullied. You are priceless. You are unique. There will never be another just like you. You are loved. You are important. You are needed in this time and space. That is why you are here. You bring to this world something no one else can. Believe in your purpose and stop letting others hurt you. You’re better than that. You’re bigger than that.

Bullying doesn’t kill you it just hurts for a moment and then you can move on. You can do hard things and getting over bullying is a simple thing.

Jeanie Cisco-Meth was a high school educator for over 15 years. Her program is accredited by the Utah State Office of Education, American Probation and Parole Association, and Utah Valley University.

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