Repeatedly we are bombarded with "No Bully Zone" in our schools. Children are taught via television ads, cartoon plots, and in special posters in the classroom and presentations in the classroom that bullying is bad. Then they observe the adults. They observe the adults in our government bully anyone that doesn't have the same belief system that they have, and it is lauded in the media as 'bravery' to confront a supposed ill to society. They observe talk show hosts berate invited guests because they don't like the subject of their latest book or a statement they made, or the subject of their latest movie or television show. They observe elected officials clamoring for the spotlight to jump on board a national bully campaign against anyone that is not of their same party. They observe media placing adults on air that verbally bully those in authority for a perceived wrong. They observe the media lambaste someone who has spoken up for morality, demeaning them to the point of the person receiving threats on their life and in some cases lose their job. They observe those in the public eye demean anyone who has virtue and integrity, insisting that there must be something in their past that they did wrong. In extreme cases, even seeking out someone who might have a vague situation that can be blown out of proportion and destroy the person's character at any cost. Adult bullying is the problem, not childhood bullying. The children are going to learn from actions, not words. If they are taught one thing, and see another...they will act on what they see most of the time. I am sure that someone somewhere thought we can end bullying if we teach the children, then the next generation will not bully. However, they neglected to realize example is the best teacher. We will not rid ourselves of bullying until all heed the words of our Heavenly Father, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour". False witness, what is false witness? It encompasses lying, character assassination, demeaning a person for their beliefs or thoughts, making fun of someone, knowingly telling part of the truth to mislead, and many more examples that are so prevalent today. I feel it can even encompass knowingly trying someone in the court of public opinion in the days of 24 hour news and social media. The goal to set...do not forward or be the person that starts any type of bullying. Even if it is something that you are passionate about. We cannot try people in the court of public opinion. We have to adhere by justice, and no matter which political side or faith side you are; step back from emotion and stand for justice in a courtroom, not on social media, mainstream media, or in casual conversation. It takes courage to stand for someone's right to free speech when they are speaking against what you believe, but if you don't stand up for their right; your right will be gone tomorrow. Bullying needs to go away, and it needs to start with the adults. We have watched from the sidelines as people have been destroyed by their past actions. We have also watched from the sidelines as innocent people have been destroyed by the actions of others. We have also watched from the sidelines as the people who are guilty of past or current actions are explained away or hidden from the public view until it all passes away. Justice is featured as being blind-folded to shield her from the person's income, social status, or career path. It symbolizes that 'Justice' does not see anything about the person, just the evidence brought forward. Justice carries a scale. The scale symbolizes the evidence that is brought forward, it balances it on the scale so that the truth can be told. Justice carries a sword. The sword symbolizes swift justice. Today's Justice would be without a blindfold, to symbolize that Justice does see the person's income, social status, or career path. Justice immediately decides today if the person's political views, personal views, or career path warrants Justice. Today's Justice would have a video camera or cell phone in her hand. The camera symbolizes that the few moments we want you to see is all that you will see, so that we can sway what you think. The cell phone also symbolizes the social media posts that go viral with what one person wants the public to think. The two together also symbolize that the trial is held in the court of public opinion, so as to decry the actual opportunity for a trial among one's peers. Today's Justice would have a ball and chain attached. The ball and chain symbolizes dragging out the trial for as long as needed to completely destroy the person so that their career is over and their family and friends have walked away. The ball and chain symbolizes the lies that have been spread and the person can never really get away from them, for the rest of their life even if exonerated. Did you see any relation to today's world? What if the next time one of these situations hits in your home. Will you then want the old Lady Justice, the one blind, balanced, and swift? Yes, that is the one we would want. Then, why do we not stand up more for the person that is being tried in the court of public opinion, media, and people who think they have status because of their career path or elected office grab the closest camera and present the end result they think should happen. I hang my head each time the court of public opinion declares a person's fate, I feel for that person; no matter who it is, and no matter what the reason. For the producer who did not have to face one accuser of sexual assault or rape in a courtroom, but his entire life was destroyed by the court of public opinion. For the politician who did not have to face the accuser of sexual assault or rape in a courtroom, but his entire life is destroyed and he steps down in disgrace. For the actress who was denied her right to free speech, and was fired. Sometimes it goes the other way around, when the victim of rape is denied her right to face her assailant in a courtroom, because of his selected status. Indeed, Justice is no longer blind. Justice is no longer swift in a courtroom, however, is swift in the public's thoughts of what they think happened. Justice is no longer balanced on the scale. Granted there are many, many times when Justice works, more times than when it doesn't work. But, we are on a frightening path. It needs to be brought to the surface, and we need to have the courage to stand up and make sure our thoughts are noted. Do I have the answer? Unfortunately, I do not. How do I have the courage to smile and go on when I see miscarriages of justice happen. I know there is another higher court that the person will not be able to pay off the media, raise their status as evidence of no wrong-doing, or no public opinion allowed. Let's overwhelm you right away--how often should one pray?
Do you feel defeated, yet? I do!! Instead of jumping into the deepest part of the ocean and drowning, let's get our feet wet in the kiddie pool. Choose one of the meal or daily prayers, or both. Then decide and commit to do it at least twenty-one (21) days. If you already do one of these, do not choose that one as your goal. This is to set a goal for a NEW thing. You can download a goal chart at this link: https://couragemakers.teachable.com/p/free-reading-chart Or, you can create your own, but it is important that you have accountability--this is a crucial part of setting a goal--seeing the progress gives you the encouragement to keep going! We have a class on 'Prayer', and it is FREE, because we feel it is so important. Here is the link to that class: couragemakers.teachable.com/p/prayer A while back there was a movie that focused on an elderly woman who had a 'War Room'. Her 'War Room' was where she took on Satan one on one through prayer. To help her remember those that needed her faith in prayer she had 'Post It' notes all around. Scriptures that could help her get through her own trials were also on the walls. Her 'War Room' was set off from the rest of her home, so she could pray in private. She closed herself in the tiny room (really, a closet), blocking out the world, for as long as needed. We have been taught to "pray always". But, do we? Promises we have received for supplication are to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, and to have our prayers answered. Now, that answer may not be the answer we want, but they will be answered. Do you have the faith to "prove My words", and make prayer a constant part of your life? What is constant prayer? Constant prayers means that you have a prayer on your heart at all times. That doesn't mean that you are kneeling by your bedside all day and all night, forever. It means that you are open to listening to the Still Small Voice. You have kept the outside distractions to a minimum so that you can hear the subtle feelings. Heavenly Father doesn't scream at us, He speaks softly, reverently. Why is prayer a subject we need to discuss? Because we have become addicted to hate, vitriol, and anything that will cause division between the Children of God. We have to step away from the hate addiction, we have to put that at the feet of Christ. When we are so filled with disconcerting feelings we cannot feel the prompting to pray; and we definitely cannot feel the answer to prayers. |
Carolyn Bendall"After years of teaching people how to develop their 'outside' image; we realized the 'inner image' need just as much work. Let's take this journey together!" Archives
August 2022
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