How To Know if You’re A Bully
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Bullying is a pervasive problem which I believe stems from abandonment issues. It’s defined in multiple ways and some countries have no legal definition of bullying while the US has state laws against it. Bullying is a form of abuse which covers a gamut of emotional, verbal and physical scenarios. It is abuse, harassment, mobbing,threats and assault. Bullying by any other name, stinks just as bad.
While the definition and recognition of what exactly bullying is, is growing rapidly, our culture houses bullies of all ages and stages, who do not not know that they are abusive. Even people who are viewed as good and upright are bullying their peers and family members. Instead of jumping to judge others, we would do well to look inward and make sure that we are not contributing to the bully culture.
The following may be extremely difficult to consider.
Eight ways you might be a bully:
1. When you don’t get your way, you intentionally make others feel uncomfortable.
2. You put people’s dreams on a leash and then parade them about and mock them in front of others.
3. You hold people’s past against them and threaten to expose your knowledge.
4. You threaten harm verbally and in your actions, even though you believe you will never act on your threats.
5. You subtly and constantly try to coerce others to do anything and everything you want.
6. You try to isolate others from social circles at church, work, school or any gathering place.
7. You indirectly bully your loved ones and others by refusing to speak to them.
8. You verbally abuse people in front of others even though you follow with “I’m kidding,” or “I’m just sayin”.
Bullying includes name calling, verbal or written abuse (Cyber bullying), exclusion, physical abuse and coercion to name a few. We all fall down. But if after reading this you realize that you have a pattern of harming people by repeatedly doing one, some, or all of these, I encourage you to seek help. Learning about your behavior can lead to positive change and a healed soul who isn’t looking to others to fill a God-shaped hole.
Audra Krell 