When the clouds gather
We all agree that life is often unfair. I’ve had ups and downs, but it’s not my business what people think of me. If I did, I would probably be a hot mess à la Ms. Lohan. I must confess though that I had my moments. I’ve felt lost. I’ve hung with the wrong crowd. Worst of all, I’ve worn fashion-victim outfits inspired by fleeting trends.
Sometimes, I’ve said and did things I shouldn’t have. Each of these experiences taught me a lesson. Some are wake-up calls! If I didn’t have my parents’ counsel, or advice from esteemed colleagues and friends, I am pretty darn sure I would have become a bitter, angry, unremorseful man. Thank goodness prayer surrounds your Josh!
Today, I am at mom’n’dad’s house overlooking Mistassini Lake. I am taking in this season as the clouds hang lower and the lake gets darker. Soon the rain will turn into snow. The seasons change and so do the days of our lives.
Anyhow, there are times when my days are très low. I don’t want to wake up and would rather hibernate like a bear. Sometimes I just want to the world to go away. But the feeling never lasts because I am fortunate to have an incredible family and close friends who stand with me when times are hard.
One part of my present gloom stems from the emotional drain that our youth face today in social media. Do they have the life experience and strength to withstand an onslaught of online abuse? What capacity do our Cree youth have when they face public embarrassment or cyberbullying?
I believe more than ever that we must stand together with our youth – your children – to fight cyberbullying. We must act on this issue and make it a priority in our communities. Turning away from this new reality is to allow negativity to infect and poison our lives. We must stand together to build the courage to fight this insidious disease. Isn’t this what we as a community always say we stand for? Nation-building?
I once read this: “Whatever comes from your mouth comes from the heart.” I have known this to be true.
A negative person has nothing good to say. We all have had negative friends, sadly. And the truth we must recognize is that this behaviour, by and large, is learned at home. Our previous Deputy Grand Chief once said that you are who hang around with – a simple and thought-provoking observation.
With social media, however, people are shielded from the consequences of their negativity and insults. They don’t see the hurt in their victims’ eyes. And those they hang around with in these artificial online communities often reinforce the virtual bullying by piling on the victim in vicious comment threads.
The good thing about real “life” is that when it gives us harsh moments, we can reflect, make adjustments and plan our next steps. It may be Oprah’s favourite line, but I still think it applies during these moments: “When we know better, we do better.”
We have the power to move on to better days and change our mindset. As for me, I set my mind on higher things. I wake up knowing that it all starts from me. If I encourage myself and think positive, I can change the atmosphere, wherever I am. It all starts from you my friends! Keep encouraging one another. Our kids need it, so do you and I.
#Endcyberbullying