The Karate Kid’s Mr. Miyagi and Mr. Han are film heroes who show up at the precise moment when we must evolve or die. It seems odd to remake a classic…though we are always up for anything with Jackie Chan in it. The bully theme never gets old, and, unfortunately, it remains a part of our life.
There is the deliberate bully, the unwitting bully, the school yard bully, the office bully, and the bullying that goes on behind closed doors. Since the original Karate Kid we now add cyber bullying and electronic bullying to the pain roster. Of particular concern in the teen community, this type of bullying can be done without ever laying a hand on the victim. It can even be done anonymously. The damage can be so far reaching that it is sometimes unbearable, with lethal consequences for our children, who may see suicide as the only escape.
In the real world, how many of us have Mr. Miyagi or Mr. Han step in to block an attack with their stunning karate or kung fu, and then guide us along our path to inner power? We have to tap into that core strength on our own. Self defense gives physical confidence. But it is soul defense that protects our spirit. Bullying weighs heavy on the heart and soul of who we are. Bullies rely on our helplessness, our alienation, isolation and our silence. These are their weapons, and the goal is to shame us. Don’t let them. The Evolving Martial Artist goes beyond the warrior’s physical techniques to deal with bullies. There are also the ways of the scholar and the monk to empower us to diffuse or even avoid bullying. By all means – get strong. Learn self defense. And here is some soul defense:
Turn On A Light In A Dark Place:
Bullies live in the shadows. They flourish where there is no authority or watchdog.
Communicate. There are compassionate and helpful people. Talk!
Know Thy Self:
It’s inscribed at Apollo’s Temple at Delphi. Don’t internalize the attacks. We all make mistakes, we all have vulnerabilities. It’s not the core of who we are. Our being is much richer and more complex. Remember this.
Don’t Rationalize Irrational Behavior:
Benjamin Disraeli said, “Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke.” Bad behavior is bad behavior. It belongs to the bully. Our focus is to manage our own behavior. Stay calm, don’t engage, and get help.
Toni Josephson
http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/bullying
http://www.safehorizon.org/
http://www.workplacebullying.org/
Check out our premium downloads – TanDao TIGER COMBAT ebook and video to learn realistic animal fighting.
Watch a martial art video
Tags: bullies, bully, jackie chan, karate, karate kid, kung fu, Martial Arts, toni josephson
And remember bullies are cowards. One day before Tyson fought Hollyfield Teddy Atlas wrote in the Daily News that Hollyfield wouln’t be intimiated by Tyson (always a big advantge for Tyson) and since Tyson was a bully and coward he would find a way of getting out of the fight. One day and a piece of ear later boxing fans were amazed at how right Atlas had been…And if you can hit em back, they don’t like that. If you can learn to defend yourself, take up boxing, hit the weights. study kung fu. But if you can’t, get someone to help.
Yes. Bullies are cowards who intimidate to mask their own fears and inadequacies.
It is interesting that many who are perceived as strong and powerful and maybe even regarded as role models are in fact cowards who only dare prey on those weaker than themselves. Against a true equal they back down or resort to underhanded methods to succeed.
Superbly brilliant analysis of Bullying
Thank you Arnuld. How are you doing?