And A Back To High School We Go!

Remember back in high school those people who felt compelled to gossip and make up nasty rumors about other students, presumably to make themselves look better or to feel better about themselves?  Leaving a wreckage of hurt feelings and dismal days for their intended victims?  I believe we called them “catty bitches” be it a guy or a girl.  Now I suppose the school yard name is “bully”.  Well I recently found myself involved in a hornets nest of gossip and lies and I have to say I didn’t see it coming.  Mostly because I was not aware that this behaviour happened outside of the school yard and I thought after one passed 30 this kind of immature behaviour was pretty much behind most people.  Well, not so much.  I stressed out about the lies and gossip for about ten minutes before a good friend inadvertently reminded me that there are so many important things in life to spend my energy on.  That realization brought me back to reality in a hurry.  What is my next move?  Will it be to try to “defend” myself or dispel the lies?  Will it be to launch a counter attack of gossipy lies?  No, No and No.  This girl is taking the proverbial high road.  I will not waste my time trying to undo what has been done because at the end of the day I know that the people who are my real friends know me and know the truth.  Will I lose friends because of these lies?  Probably.  My philosophy is that a good friend will come to you and ask if the rumors are true.  A really good friend will know better.   I will not turn around and say bad things about the Catty Bullies who started this mess and continue to keep it rolling.  Why not launch a fair and reasonable rebuttal?  Because right now, whether they realize it or not, the lies they are spreading and growing are hurting children.  I refuse to take part in any kind of trash fest that will eventually filter down and hurt children.  They deserve better.  I don’t care if it is my child, the Catty Bullies child or anyone else’s – kids have enough bullies to deal with now a days they certainly don’t need to have to deal with adult bullies.  It truly saddens me that this has transpired because the perpetrators were once people I liked and admired and although this has opened my eyes to behaviour I have not seen in so very long, I will not go down that road.  This situation has made me re-evaluate what a friend looks like and definitely made me add a few more lines to that character test of friendship.

I suppose it is important to take away a lesson from every situation be it good or bad.  This was a tough one to see in a positive light so here it is - Lesson learned:  Good friends don’t talk about you behind your back and when situations like this arise it's certainly a good time to evaluate the people you surround yourself with.  

My Inadvertent Yoda

It seems over the last few weeks that I have found my own personal Yoda or unpaid psychologist.  She doesn’t realize it but over the last couple of weeks she has provided guidance and support that only years of personal soul searching and therapy could bring.  It has changed my outlook on some of life's situations.  I do admit that I tease her relentlessly about her inability to say no to people and her desire to help every stray that crosses her path, be it human or animal.  Honestly, that is one of her endearing qualities.  She never says no to someone who needs help and never asks for help herself.  No matter what is going on in her life she is always there for her friends to lend a hand or an ear.  In the same breath she has also taught me that there is always a positive way to look at ones personal struggles.  I consider myself truly blessed that she is a part of my life.