Stand Up and Take Action

My heart has been heavy with the myriad of news stories of women and men who have experienced sexual assault and harassment and finally have the strength to tell their story.  Just when I think I have heard it all, another story breaks that is so vile it takes my breath away – but in a bad way.  As in almost every situation, I continue to seek the positive message among the chaos.

One revelation I have made is that the veil of fear and shame is finally being lifted because victims are being inspired by others who have broken their silence.  The #metoo movement has provided a safe environment for individuals to tell their story and, hopefully, advance their healing process.  Who knew so many people had been mistreated and concealed the damaging effects while living with the repercussions of such hideous behavior?  And who knew that this behavior is tolerated in almost every industry?  Oy Vey…

Mercifully, a movement is now underway where people have found their voices and an intolerance of harassment, bullying, and predatory behavior.  The reality is that in order for this movement to be successful, another shift needs to happen.

The shift I am referring to is redefining the role of the bystander.  Our society has been operating with a bystander mentality and that needs to change.  It is easy to turn the other way when we suspect or witness inappropriate situations.  Doing so may be out of fear.  Perhaps a lack of compassion keeps people from getting involved.  However, speaking up or contacting the authorities, may curtail the damage of a potentially bad scenario.  We need to look out for each other even if it means we sacrifice our comfort zone or anonymous status.

Imagine a life where you could count on someone, even if it a stranger, to have your back – whether it is the workplace or a social setting.  While I am not suggesting that we live naively or aim for an ideal that is not realistic, I am proposing that we freely offer a helping hand.  Our non-judgment and encouragement may provide someone the confidence they need to remove themselves from an unsafe place.  There are established helplines dedicated to reporting inappropriate behaviors while remaining incognito. We can help others in this discreet manner or not so discreetly via a variety of social media platforms. Both methods are effective.

My point is that we need to transition from being passive bystanders to active, inspired bystanders. We are being called to serve at a higher level.  Think of it as being on standby and ready to act rather than being someone who turns the other way.  Stand up, speak up and get involved.  It is our responsibility to diffuse the damage we are exposed to instead of becoming desensitized to it.  Be a part of a new revolution.  When we collectively respond, we can potentially save someone’s life, their sense of security or their dignity, and it is a viable remedy the raise the vibration of our surroundings to a place where there is more respect, compassion, and peace.

Let’s make it happen.

 

With epic love and gratitude,

 

“Every time you tell your story, you heal a little deeper.”