Speaking with Students at Greece Odyssey

Thank you to the students at Greece Odyssey middle school for sitting down with me today to discuss "drama" and leadership.

During today's discussion, when I asked if anyone had bullied someone else, one student shot his hand into the air. Interesting, as most students are less than eager to admit this. He told how something he said about another student wound up hurting her feelings, which he found out later on. He had no idea that the things he said were going to affect her that way. I asked if he did anything about it. He said yes, that he apologized as soon as he found out and that he wouldn't have said that if he had known how it would hurt. Anyone else impressed? In admitting he hurt someone, this boy proved he cared more about the other student than his own pride . Sometimes we get embarrassed to admit we hurt someone, even when it was unintentional. The important thing to remember is that while you sit upset with yourself, someone else is sitting in pain. Stepping up and apologizing on your own can show the other student that the apology is genuine. I think most people would agree that an apology that is forced by a teacher or parent just doesn't hit home the same way.

Owning up for yourself is the first step towards maturity. The sooner you start, the sooner you can start down a path towards becoming a person of which you can be proud. And who knows, maybe another student will see you making a mature choice and do the same a few days later. Your choice could end up being bigger than just you.