Hollywood tragedy strikes again with another death, this time by alleged suicide of Award Winning actor Robin Williams. This legendary actor had his share of struggles which played out in national and world wide headlines, but for it to end in this manner is just heartbreaking.
I spoke a few nights ago about the struggles kids, adults, male and female alike, go through with bullies, and for some the answer for them is to take their own lives. This is unacceptable and we need to stop this pattern of thought. We need to show these children and adults another way, another voice and another person is in their corner fighting for their right to be heard, to be who they are, to just exist.
Unlike Robin, these kids don't have the resources available to them which he did and unfortunately for him, these resources could not save him. My heart goes out to his family as they struggle to put their lives back together, to make sense of a senseless act and to find peace in such a horrific time.
But we can step up on behalf of these kids, we can stand up and say enough. We as human beings, as parents, as family members, as teachers and as leaders need to step in and stop the cycle. We need to educate and empower the children who need empowering and we need to educate the bullies. My husband, Clay, commented on my blog a few nights ago that bullies come in all shapes, sizes and age brackets. They come in the form of a tongue-in-cheek comment, meant innocently enough on our part, but what we don't take into consideration is what has the person on the receiving end of that comment been through that day, week, month or year. What have they heard said about themselves, thought about themselves or been lead to believe about themselves.
We need to take a step back and realize that treating each and every human being with dignity, compassion and empathy is much better in the long run than passing quick judgment on someone because we don't understand something about them, or they are different than we are. Life is about diversity and if we can't accept diversity in our lives, in each other and in the world then we are in a much sadder state of affairs than we even know.
Think before you speak, feel before you act, and know that a kind word from you may be the only kind thing that person hears all day.
RIP Robin Williams, you left us with movies and memories that will last for many generations to come.
Have a peaceful night!
Johnny Bryan Ward
I spoke a few nights ago about the struggles kids, adults, male and female alike, go through with bullies, and for some the answer for them is to take their own lives. This is unacceptable and we need to stop this pattern of thought. We need to show these children and adults another way, another voice and another person is in their corner fighting for their right to be heard, to be who they are, to just exist.
Unlike Robin, these kids don't have the resources available to them which he did and unfortunately for him, these resources could not save him. My heart goes out to his family as they struggle to put their lives back together, to make sense of a senseless act and to find peace in such a horrific time.
But we can step up on behalf of these kids, we can stand up and say enough. We as human beings, as parents, as family members, as teachers and as leaders need to step in and stop the cycle. We need to educate and empower the children who need empowering and we need to educate the bullies. My husband, Clay, commented on my blog a few nights ago that bullies come in all shapes, sizes and age brackets. They come in the form of a tongue-in-cheek comment, meant innocently enough on our part, but what we don't take into consideration is what has the person on the receiving end of that comment been through that day, week, month or year. What have they heard said about themselves, thought about themselves or been lead to believe about themselves.
We need to take a step back and realize that treating each and every human being with dignity, compassion and empathy is much better in the long run than passing quick judgment on someone because we don't understand something about them, or they are different than we are. Life is about diversity and if we can't accept diversity in our lives, in each other and in the world then we are in a much sadder state of affairs than we even know.
Think before you speak, feel before you act, and know that a kind word from you may be the only kind thing that person hears all day.
RIP Robin Williams, you left us with movies and memories that will last for many generations to come.
Have a peaceful night!
Johnny Bryan Ward
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