Paradym Shift

We have all heard the age old question.."is the glass half empty or half full"? Have you ever just felt doommed one day and on top of the world the next? We usually blame it on a variety of things from sleep to what we ate to pains and on and on. Take Bullying for example, what motivates the actions of a bully? Is it just for fun? I don't think so. Is it out of peer pressure? Perhaps partially. I think it is more out of turmoil in thier own life, perhaps home life or reactions to parental exposures. No matter what the reason it is motivated by the "glass half empty" paradym. We all need " victories" in our lives. Victories are needed to offset "defeats". If we feel we can't think or act for ourselves, or are always "wrong" in our choices, our self worth diminishes. Finally out of desperation, that individual lashes out because they can't bear to take another DEFEAT. They look for someone weaker than they to find a  "VICTORY". Training horses is a perfect example. When a horse does something contrary to our will, we apply pressure to gently make them uncomfortable but once they give us the correct response the pressure is relieved and they should immediately be rewarded and praised. A horse learns very quickly to GIVE the desired result when asked to do so.  Praise has a much stronger effect than the pressure induced by misbehavior. Each of us are the trainer and horse at the same time. When we do something wrong or accidental we put great pressure on ourselves. We become our own worst enemy. When we correct our own behavior we do not release the pressure and praise ourselves as we would a horse. We are not quick to accept praise nor are we comfortable when others sing our praises. If we can learn that when we are in the "glass half empty" state of mind, that we need to look for opportunities to do something good for someone else thus the addage..."If you help your brother across the river ...you find yourself on the other side". So. how should we handle some bullying issues, with VICTORIES not more defeats. The challenge is moving our young people from BULLYING to MENTORING. If VICTORIES can not be achieved at home or at school, then where will they find them. Gangs?  Mentors who care and know how to show it can change the paradym to the "glass half full". Big Brothers and Big Sisters have the right idea. Kids today need relief from the pressures of life and will look forward to "the calm away from the storm".as they struggle to navigate thier way thru todays storms. Lets look for opportunities to Mentor our youth and show them that the glass really is "half full".