All credit goes to God and my parents for anything good I do. All the blame rests on me for anywhere I fall short. I'm grateful for the hardships. They taught me valuable lessons, such as perseverance, humility to ask for help, generosity, compassion and discipline. I was not an easy child to raise.
The most impactful memory I have was when I was in 2nd grade. It was during recess, and three kids thought it would be fun to knock me down, roll me down a 15 foot grass hilly at about a 40 degree angle, right over a storm drain grate. I asked them to stop twice. A teacher's aide saw what was happening but did nothing. I marched up the hill and slugged the ringleader in the nose and gave him a 30 minute nose bleed. The group disbanded. I could've gone after the others but was content to simply stop what they were doing to me.
I learned to not take threats idly, not suffer abuse and injury, and to act on the assumption the rest of the world will watch you or someone else's demise and do nothing. So, be generous, kind, and patient. When presented with threats, violence, etc., "flip the switch" so to speak, and act decisively, act quickly, don't advertise your plans, strike with fury and determination, but maintain a cool enough head to stop yourself from becoming what you're trying to stop, so you can turn that "switch" back off at will.
!BBH
Interestingly for me, while reading your comment, I was reminded of my own youth all those years of being racially vilified and victimised (brutalised really) and how I'm glad it happened because it built character, resilience, strength, an understanding of how humans can be garbage, and how to deal with that garbage amongst many other things. It wasn't pleasant at the time but I am better for it. (I also like your last line...one must know when and how to take action, and when not to.)
Thanks for your open and forthright comment in response to my post, I appreciate it. (All your comments to me have been worthy of notice really.)
I'm sorry you went through that as a kid. No kid should have to endure that, but I'm glad you used it to refine and build your character. Many fall into the victim mentality instead (You can't blame them), so when someone "goes through the fire" and comes out the other side stronger and better for it, it also gives hope to those going through it themselves.
I'm glad you enjoyed the comment. I enjoy your posts. It's clear you put time and effort into them and want the interaction instead of just an upvote like many other posts here, and I hoped the level of effort and thought I put into it at least somewhat reflected the time you took to write your post. 🙂
!BBH
Things happen and we can't change that they did so I think it's best to turn them to our advantage in whatever way possible.
Thanks for your comments about my posts, I appreciate that.