My new two-part poetry podcast explores kindness and its antithesis, bullying, especially of children on the playground and online. My featured image is Izzy Dix, a beautiful 14-year-old UK girl who killed herself as a result of unrelenting bullying on social media. Before taking her life, she wrote a poem entitled, “I Give Up”, which I read. I also read poetry by Naomi Shihab Nye, Rilke, Emily Dickinson, and myself. You can access the podcasts at the link below.
Part I is 30 minutes and Part II is Around 20 minutes. In Part II, I rebroadcast a small part of Part I because of static and other noises which were too disruptive.
https://meelosmom.podbean.com/
The featured image of Izzy Dix can be found in this article. http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34256113/izzy-dix-took-her-life-at-14—then-her-mother-was-trolled-online
It’s heart breaking to learn that the bullies and trolls seemed to rejoice in Dix’s death and continue their abuse and provocations by sending Izzy’s mother mocked up pictures of Her daughter’s body. What can we do to heal this cancer in our society? Love is the strongest chemo, so we have to increase the dosage. Empathy, compassion, forgiveness and loving kindness are powerful healers if we choose to hold those vibrations in daily life. A smile, a kind greeting, an expression of gratitude, a good deed, all of these actions are life affirming acts of grace and mercy. No one is perfect, but we can all try to be better. Those who embrace the bullied can teach the bullies how to be human.
© Barbara Leonhard, extraordinarysunshineweaver.blog
Extraordinary Sunshine Weaver 
It is so sad, my granddaughter is 12 and I am amazed to hear about the nastiness that can surround her at her new school. Technology has a lot to answer for but more importantly some parents don’t seem to keep a check on their children. We live in a sad society that could change if people gave more thought to others.
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Yes, Elaine. It’s not always safe for kids on line or even at school. I hope your granddaughter can ward off the bullies. That energy is so negative. … I heard static in my podcast at times, did you? I have to figure that out.
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Luckily the school has a brilliant team at her school which instantly reacts to anything untoward. I haven’t listened to the podcast yet because it’s too early here in England because I don’t want to disturb anyone’s sleep.
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That’s great the school is responsive! Very hopeful! … Yes, good to wait! You’re up early and I’m up late here. I think I’ll turn in. 😊
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Sleep well 😘
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Thank you!
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