Bullying

According to Wikipedia, “Bullying is the use of force, threat or coercion to

abuse, intimidate or aggressively dominate others. The behavior is often repeated and
habitual. One essential prerequisite is the perception, by the bully or by others, of an
imbalance of social or physical power, which distinguishes bullying from conflict. Behaviors
used to assert such domination can include verbal harassment or threat, physical assault or
coercion, and such acts may be directed repeatedly towards particular
targets. Rationalizations of such behavior sometimes include differences of social class,
race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, behavior, body language, personality,
reputation, lineage, strength, size or ability”.
Bullying can be defined in many different ways. In the Philippines today, the definition
of bullying is cited as to amount and extent in Republic Act 10627.
Bullying, according to this Act, is “any severe or repeated use by one or more
students of a written verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any
combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or
placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his
property.” This act, however, focuses only to the abuse of students under elementary and
secondary level.

Even up to college, the word bullying never stops to accompany me anywhere I go –

in the streets, school, and dormitory and even at home. That is, bullying is a natural reality. I
experienced bullied by the I way I wear my clothes, the way I talk, the way to do actions, the
way I sleep, the way I do my lifestyle and even the way I carry my own self to my most
natural creation. Everything is subject to criticisms and ridicule.

But as I go through life, I realized that bullying is already a part of a person’s

existence. Bullying though a harmful act can also be a meaning of friendship and interaction.
For some say that friendship without bullying is so boring. Bullying can be used by me to
correct myself. Words and actions may be given in an inappropriate way – or in a harmful
and painful way, but I will consider everything as a constructive means for improvement.

In bullying I was able to know more myself, of who I am, my burdens, my strengths,
my flaws, and even my life. I was able to meet wonderful people, genuine people and warm
people. I even was able to create a genuine relationship for this. In bullying I was able to
know my deepest capacities, beyond limit capabilities and even my dreams. It has served as
a fuel in firing up my greatest ambitions in life. Bullying has consumed most of my life as a
kid, a teenager and even in going to adulthood, but the sweetest part is it has become a
great factor in my personal growth. Things may have been so doubtful to me before, there
may things that I don’t understand at first step, but those realities have lead me of what I am
today.

For those bullies who have injured me before, I forgive you. And for those I have
sadistically hurt, please forgive me. For in pain of the past I was made to be grateful. I
learned my lessons, I meet so much enlightenment. I was able to reach beyond borders for
those life-changing experiences.

My summary to these assertions is just simple. Bullying is a necessity of life. It may

seem to be a curse at firsthand. But life as it may seem will always be a blessing.