As an anti-bullying advocate, I talk to adults and children about the effects of bullying. Most of my talks have been to adults, and that’s important. Adults get bullied, too, and many adults have children in their lives who are dealing with bullying. My biggest goal has been to talk to children. Bullying is a big problem in our schools, leading children to mental health problems, behavioral problems, suicide, and attempts at suicide.

I work as a cashier in a grocery store. During the winter the girl scouts set up tables to sell cookies. I work on express checkout, and the girls were set up next to that checkout. I told the leaders about my book and that I was an anti-bullying advocate. I gave the leaders my business card. One of the parents with the girls had been my physical therapist when I had back surgery and other health problems. She spoke to the leader of that troop with me.

That leader later contacted me to speak to her troop of girls in first through fifth grades. I suggested the leader invite the parents, too. The event was last Wednesday. I usually don’t plan my talks, but this was my first talk for children, I wrote an outline for my speech. I was nervous about bringing my talk down to a level young children would understand. When I stood up and gave my speech, my words just flowed from me. I knew how important it was to reach young children and tell them about bullying because my bullying started in first grade.

The girls listened and raised their hands to tell me about things that happened to them, or things they saw happen to others. They also raised their hands to ask questions. I told one girl a secret and had her pass it around the room. Funny thing is the girls got the secret right, but an adult got it wrong. I used that as an example on how passing around gossip can start out as one thing and by the time it gets passed around, it turns into something different.

I told the girls how each of our differences makes us beautiful and special. I told them we should never judge anyone for being different, and we should never change who we are to fit in. The girls listened intently. I told them that if you must change who you are and bully someone to fit in with others, it’s not worth it. The best friend they could have might be that person everyone puts down.

I told them about my dream to write a book. Then I asked them if they had dreams. Many raised their hands more than once. They had a variety of dreams like being teachers, artist, authors, and much more. I encouraged them to follow their dreams no matter how hard it is.

I asked the girls how many of them had faced bullying. My heart broke when half the girls raised their hands. I encouraged them to talk to their parents or other adults they trust about the bullying. I told them they can’t handle bullying without support from people that love them. I urged the parents to fight for their children and consider looking into therapy if the bullying is persistent.

I told the girls to be kind to everyone, and if they can’t be nice, then don’t say anything. I closed the talk by telling the girls they are each princesses who deserve to be treated kindly and who should also be nice to others. At the end the girls thanked me for coming and applauded me.

Afterward the parents gave some their daughters money to buy my book. I signed the books, including the girls’ names and in each book, I wrote “Stand up against bullying. You are special.” They also had an ice cream social after my talk. While I ate my ice cream, I talked with the mothers. They were impressed by my talk and told me I need to talk in schools. That is a goal of mine for the fall.

When I got home, I was so happy with my speech that I felt like I was flying high. My first talk to children was a big success. I was able to ease into talking to children without any problems and the girls participated well. I know they learned a lot and the parents also learned.

Talking to people of all ages about bullying and its effects helps me soars in the light of recovery.