Irish Family Learns Terrible Lesson on Giving Power Away

Yesterday, the major news outlets were reporting that nine teenagers are being charged with crimes related to suicide of Phoebe Prince, a fifteen year old Irish immigrant who had recently moved to this country.  

They are being charged with a range of crimes, from civil rights violations to statutory rape.

A group of nine teens mercilessly picked on Phoebe – for MONTHS – online via Facebook and offline, including verbal harassment and physical abuse.

This is sad on so many levels that I don't have enough time to go into them all – but there is one HUGE point of the story that gets me so mad I see red sometimes…

Once again, the parents of the bullied child, the child being bullied, and in this instance, four of the bullied girl's friends ALL went to the school – on multiple occasions – and asked for help in stopping the bullying of young Phoebe.

The school's reaction was described as "inconsistent enforcement of the Code of Conduct."

So let me get this straight:  this newly emigrated teen gets picked on – for MONTHS – both verbally and physically; she reports it, her family reports it AND her friends report it…and the school does nothing?

I don't know about you, but I hope someone sits down with that Irish family, explains how our legal and justice system works, and then sues the pants off of that school district for negligence.

Usually I would NOT endorse the lawsuit route as I think the definition of a lawsuit is two parties throwing adult temper-tantrums, but if this case isn't an example of when someone should file a lawsuit, I'll eat my laptop after I send this e-mail.

Here is what makes my blood boil…

Once again, the personal responsibility of dealing with the bullying was handed off to someone or something else and when that failed, the victim felt powerless, and that led down a tragic road.

This behavior – this philosophy – of turning responsibility for things going on in your life over to someone or something else – is a recipe for disaster.

When you give your power away, you are automatically positioned as a victim, no matter what the outcome, because you are no longer directing energy into what it is YOU want.

The other party you gave your power away to is in charge.

This country was founded on the principle of self-reliance and self-governance. 

When the pilgrims came over, it was because a King decided that everyone had to worship at his church; our forefathers gave him the one finger salute and said something along the lines of,"No thanks.  We would rather get on these three rickety boats, cross a very dangerous ocean, and take our chances in finding a place where we can do as we please."

When our country was officially formed, it was because a King decided we were behaving like unruly children and needed to be brought to heed through punitive taxes and restrictions.

Our Founding Fathers said, "Thanks, but No Thanks."

Americans are all about "Leave Me the Blank Alone – I can take care of myself", yet more and more, there is an attitude or inclination to look to someone else to "come to the rescue" and when they don't, to blame them.

When it comes to bullies, energy suckers and negative B.S. in your life, the last thing you want to do is look for someone or something else to fix it for you.

YOU are strong enough, you are good enough and you are worth it.  Stand up to the challenge in your life, look it in the eye and say, "Bring it on.  I am not afraid of you."

Only by facing the bullies, energy suckers and negative B.S. can you take back your power, overcome the challenges and get stronger in the process.

Stay Strong,

Sensei

P.S. –  A great place to start when you want to teach yourself and your child how to take back your power and stand up to the bullies, energy suckers and negative B.S. in your life is in the book, "Bullies Suck".