We all act in our contacts with others. We all hide ourselves behind walls or faces that aren't our own. As adults we seldom feel we can be ourselves because, "what might others think of us?"
But learning the value of respect and caring really begins when we are young. As young people we often find ourselves mistreating others because someone we're trying to emulate and impress. We do it without thinking and without feeling at all. That is part of growing up, but it doesn't need to be.
Adults can step in, instead of standing back and nodding and noticing. They need to do that more. They can say something, or simply step forward and be the example of caring when someone is is being bullied.
Why don't we step forward more? For some it is because they are mired in their own fears. Sadly, I know for me that has in the past been a driving force. I think we all need to take a page out of one my own personal heroes' books. Leo Buscaglia realized early on that caring for others was more important than looking good in other people's eyes. In his story about is entrance into school in the U.S. after moving here with his family told not of success but of the love he learned about in a class for those who are handicapped. If I remember the story correctly, he was put there because he couldn't speak English. There he saw more love shown through hugs and caring than in any normal educational setting he has seen since then.
We can do so much through caring - we can do little but create hate through anger or aggression.
Pass on the love.
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