Many people tell me that when they were younger, the world felt safer.
(Depending on their age of-course.)
Many people tell me that when they were younger, the world was a much better place - 20, 30, 40 years ago.
(Depending on their life circumstances of-course.)
My father’n law often tells me that in his day, he could walk around the streets of Melbourne any time of day and night and know and feel that he was safe. There just wasn’t that element of “unsafeness” and “mistrust” that plagues the world today.
Those were the days when you could walk down the street and look people in the eye and connect. Say hello, nod and acknowledge that person. Maybe even have a chat.
Those were the days when life may have been hard on some levels, yet there was a sense of camaraderie’ and companionship in the world. At least for many people.
These stories are from a time when it seems there was much more trust in society, in schools, in religion, the political system and in life itself. Even if life was hard, there was an underlying trust that “this is how life is and there’s not too much we can do about it.” There was a trust that the system had it sorted and that you simply had to follow the norm, the rules, and life would work out somehow.
Children were often told:
To be quiet.
To sit down.
To not make a scene.
To be seen and not heard.
To not speak until spoken to.
To just work it out for yourself. More or less….
And never children, never, never, never break the code of silence. Even if what you have seen or experienced doesn’t feel right. If you did break the code of silence you soon learnt that it wasn’t appreciated and were told that you were just making it up. So many people turned the other cheek. They allowed it to be.
And in these times of industrial growth and commitment to hard work, people simply did the best they could with what they had and what they felt was their lot in life. Parents simply did the best they could at the time, with the knowledge and life experiences that they were living from.
Kids were “allowed” to play all day without much supervision. Parents felt that their children were safe and that the children would look after each other.
Despite the glossy exterior, some, (many more than we know of or may care to ackowledge), children were exposed to abuse of all kinds – physical, mental, emotional and sexual abuse.
It seems that in many parts of the world it was just a given. It was just how life was. Your lot in life and how life worked.
The worst part of this? That there was a cloak of secrecy, an almost unspoken blanket of silence that was heavier than the titanic and less penetrable than a mountain of rock.
Many children forgot how to speak up, how to shine and how to feel safe in a world that was meant to protect them.
Many children grew up feeling that the way they felt and what happened in their life was their fault.
It’s a crying shame in my book.
These days?
MMMMMmmm
Now, these children have grown up and carried within their bodies, minds and spirts an essence of abuse. An essence that, if they don’t decide to heal it, will be carried by their children, their children’s children. The cycle continues, unless it is brought to the light and healed.
These grown ups have had their own children, wishing for an even better life for their offspring.
But what many of these grown-ups don’t realise is that their children can carry the sadness, fear, shame and unworthiness that they themselves felt growing up, (and may still feel as adults,) although they have squashed it down and may not acknowledge these feelings.
Speaking of books…. I have just released my latest book.
WOO HOO!!
It is creating much awareness and inspired change for children, parents and families. It brings light and love to the plague that is bullying, in all its forms. Mental, emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
I have said ENOUGH to the trauma, fear, anxiety and hurting of children.
On all levels and in all forms.
Have you?
Children are telling us it is time to change how we see and deal with bullying. It is still happening, despite the valiant attempts of amazing teachers, principals and organisations who say they want it done with.
It is time to rise beyond bullying, in all its personas.
I invite you to take a stand with me.
I can’t do it alone.
Neither can you.
I know we can put an end to bullying once and for all.
Together.
Buy your copy of The Bully Busters BlueprintTM here:
Namaste’
Christine Watts