Dear Bully,
Yes, you ruined me....as I was growing up and finding myself. You made me hate who I was and hate the world around me. There were times when I felt that life just truly wasn't worth living, because you tore me apart from the inside out. This is not a letter to call you out for all the terrible things you did to me. This is a letter to tell you that I am better than what you made me believe I was.
I used to believe that I was the ugliest person to walk this planet, but I know now that I'm not. I know now that no one is ugly based off their looks. Ugliness comes from within. It's how one treats others and act towards others that truly makes them ugly in this world. I know that now, because although you made me believe that I was ugly because of my hair and ugly because of how I dressed. I know that is not what makes me beautiful it's about being genuine to those around me and being there when they need me. It's about appreciating one's beauty and excellence in all forms with praise.
I used to think that everyone in this world was out to get me. I thought this way because it felt like no one would stand up for me when you came at me with your harsh words. I thought this way because no one seemed to take my side when I would pour out all the pain you put inside me. I know now that not everyone in this world was out to get me, but boy did I feel alone at one point. I realize now that I need to stand up for those people who are being dehumanized and left to feel excluded. I need to be a change agent and stand up for others even when no one stood up for me.
I used to hate my own skin color because I assumed that because everyone who looked like you were the ones to be free from bullying. I wondered, If only I looked like them or If only I could dress like them maybe they would stop and accept me. I know now that is not what needs to be done. I need to just be me and be proud of me in all of my forms. I need to surround myself with people who accept me with all of my forms without questioning it or even giving it a second thought. I accept people as they are, I do not look to their appearance to measure how "cool" or "amazing" they might be. I give them a chance unlike those who didn't give me one.
I do not blame you for why you tore me apart and I do not wish that you face the same, because that is not what will make this world better. What will make this world better is by being able to look different and stop living by what society is telling us what we should look like. By tearing me apart I found who I really was and I know what I'm not. It was a battle against you and I, but a beginning to stop the war of those who would come into my life, later on, to try and repeat those harsh doings. I know better now, and I'm ready to keep fighting for not only myself but for everyone else who's been or is being torn apart.
This is a message for all of those who have been torn apart, whether it be by a bully or by some other figure. Do not seek revenge, do not hate the world, be the world, be the change, be better than what your person who tore you apart made you out to be. And if and when you are going through this and you feel like there's nothing left keep going. Remember that there is someone out there who is also being torn apart, but they might need you, need you to listen, to hold them, or to just relate to them because no one else understood them like you did.
Keep going and don't stop, be the change you are seeking.
From,
A new me from a new perspective
