To This Day - an anti-bullying campaign

Last night I discovered this video. It is a poem written (and spoken in the video) by Shane Koyczan with terrific animation.

It really resounded with me as I reflected on the impact we have on each other by the words we speak and the way we treat each other. It left me grateful to have come out on the other side of being bullied and that I am surrounded by people in my life now who make me feel great about who I am.

Watch it. Share it. And visit tothisdayproject.com

I watched this video with my husband and we talked about it for a while afterward: about our experiences, about how we would react if we found out one of our children was bullying someone else, and about how bullies usually pick on others because of their insecurities, not necessarily because there is anything wrong with their victim.

The words of Shane's poem are powerful, and I don't really think that there is anything I could say that gets to the heart of it faster than he does, but just know that bullying is wrong. Shameful. It affects the people bullied infinitely longer than the the thoughtless seconds it can take to say or do something cruel to one of our fellow human beings. Be kind.

I decided to write a post about it too, because I feel really strongly about how we should treat those around us. I believe that every individual has the right to feel safe and not to have to fear being attacked (verbally or otherwise). Everyone deserves to be recognised for their strengths and not defined by what anyone else sees as imperfect or wrong with them. Some people, particularly young ones, don't seem to realise that what it so easily said or done can stay with the other person for a long time. This is what we must teach our kids... but that's another blog post for another time.

If you haven't watched the video yet, do! But I'll leave you with some of my favourite words.




and if you can’t see anything beautiful about yourself
get a better mirror
look a little closer
stare a little longer
because there’s something inside you
that made you keep trying
despite everyone who told you to quit
you built a cast around your broken heart
and signed it yourself
you signed it
“they were wrong”

To Natalie on your birthday eve

Dearest Natalie,

Tomorrow is your third birthday. That means that for three wonderful years I have had the privilege of being your mother.

I've had the privilege of watching you grow..
I've had the privilege of seeing you learn and develop
I've had the privilege of sometimes being the one to teach you the things you've learned.
I'm blessed to hear you call me mummy.
I'm blessed to have you come to me for help.
I'm blessed to hear you say, "I want to help you".
I'm grateful for the teaching opportunities these moments bring.
I love to hear you say, "I love you", whether it be to me, daddy, or Hayley.
I love your sweet little laughter.
I love that you're so affectionate and will come to me for a good cuddle when you need it.
You make me smile when you tell me that you want to do something "all by da myself".
You make me smile when you tell me that you want to do something (usually watch tv) "for a minute" with a cheeky little smile (that brings me so close to caving in every time).
Your beautiful smile can brightens the world and my heart.
I love your gentle words to Hayley when she is upset, reassuring her that "mummy is coming" or, "don't worry darling" or, "it's ok bubba".
I love your curiousity and the way you ask so many questions.
It's adorable the way you pretend to go to work (or the shops, or wherever) and say bye to everyone and give us kisses.
It's adorable that you pretend to talk on the phone, to your Aunties, or to daddy, or to Doctor Phil (our chiropractor!!!)
It almost breaks my heart when I take you to creche during my classes and you say, "I want you to stay with me" - you're my sweetie and I love every moment I spend with you too.
I'm so happy that you have fun after I've left anyway and that you learn so much and have gained so much confidence.

I love you, I love you, I love you. A million billion trillion times.

Always keep your bright spirit and unique personality. Don't let the world determine your worth by whatever happens to be popular as you grow. Never forget that your family love you forever and ever, no matter what, without a single condition.

<3 From Mummy