Some bitter food for thought...

[caduceus]

Dear all,

I'm going home tonight after work. Originally, I had meant to leave you with something more positive - but I stumbled across this yesterday and couldn't NOT share this with you...

Death by cyber-bullying

13-year-old Megan Meier hangs herself after being dumped by a "16-year-old boyfriend" on MySpace.

Text @ St. Charles' Journal

An

Comments

[caduceus]

I have to agree with much of what you've said. And like you, I've known that kind of social pressure and mobbing from class mates all through school, because I was perceived as too smart, because I was a teacher's daughter, because I didn't care for in clothes and make up...

But while it hurt me, and made me feel bad ~ it also helped shape me and made me the person I am now. The feeling of self-worth that comes from yourself and your achievements (as opposed to the opinion of others alone) is something that no one can take from you. It's difficult to teach that to a child, and I realized that only later... But I'm less angry and, um, bent on revenge now that I've made my peace with it and am safe in the knowledge that I am appreciated for who I am and what I do, rather than for what I wear and whom I cheer for.

That said, I would have to lie if I said that I've never judged people or thought ill of them because of my first impression of them. And I often gloat for a second when I hear that all the pretty, popular girls who were in my class are now struggling with their ordinary lives just like everybody else...
We humans are not perfect, but neither does it hurt to be aware of our shortcomings and learn from mistakes. :)

IMHO, they should send all kids to the Lebenshilfe kindergarten. I went there, and wouldn't miss that for anything in the world.