Support Anti-Bullying Through Positive Role Models

Bullying appears to be more prevalent now than ever before.  There could be a number of reasons for this.  Surely part of it is that it is more reported than in the past.  When I was a child and other youth bullied, it was passed over with comments like, “Boys will be boys” or “You know how girls are.”  Today we have a better understanding of how harmful incessant teasing, harassment, and intimidation are to youth during their formative years, so we have taken a more active stance against bullying behavior and report it more frequently.

Perhaps another reason we are seeing more bullying is that the media continuously emphasizes violence, getting your way at any cost, and saying and doing things that are unkind and unwarranted.  Think about such popular movies as “Mean Girls” and “My Bodyguard” which show how unpleasant and cruel the world is for youth, and yet, the fact that the content of these films is on the big screen and popular actors are playing the parts of bullies, victims, and onlookers, the notion of bullying can be romanticized.

There are other factors at play as well:  overcrowding, single-parent families, parents working 3-5 jobs just to make ends meet, a school system that no longer meets the needs of its students, and the list could go on and on.  The question for me is, “What is the antidote? and “What can be done to change this increase in bullying behavior?”  I believe that the answer can partially be found in well-trained role models and mentors.  Young adults as well as older folks, coming together and demonstrating, day in and day out, the importance of relationship building, acknowledging the good work of others, and communicating in a preventative way to ensure that conflicts are resolved before they grow legs and become bullying—is a great start to breaking down acts of bullying.

Entrusted Legacy is committed to supporting the growth and development of positive role models and mentors.  Join with us and lift up your voice.  Together, we can!  Contact us at support@entrustedlegacy.org

No Arms, No Legs, No Worries—a You Tube Broadcast featuring Nick Vujicic

WOW!  Talk about a positive role model and mentor!  Have you had the opportunity to either see in person or view You Tube videos featuring Nick Vujicic?  To give you a little background, Nick was born with no arms or legs (although he does have a foot of sorts which he calls his chicken wing) in Australia.  He now lives in Los Angeles and makes his living as a motivational speaker, especially with young people.  His message is to dream big and never give up. 

Nick shares the challenges he had growing up.  He shares how he was depressed thinking about how he wished his life was different and that he kept asking himself the question, “Why me?”  He said he worried that he would lead a life without purpose.  However, because of the love of his family and the constant encouragement of his parents, he developed hope.  He discovered his value, his purpose and his destiny.  He shares that encouragement takes you closer to the possibilities that are within you, while discouragement takes you further away.  He also shares that if you leave a seed of doubt and discouragement in your heart, it will grow and it will continue to try and take you over and have you “die” to the possibility of yourself.

At the end of a presentation with high school students in El Centro, California he says, “I love you and you’re beautiful just the way you are!” 

If you haven’t seen Nick, please take the time to do so today. Look at yourself after watching this video see No Arms, No Legs, No Worries 

You can invest in the role models and mentors who work with youth every day in afterschool programs.  Check Entrusted Legacy out at www.entrustedlegacy.org or by contacting us at support@entrustedlegacy.org