Let's Start the New Year Fresh

An article on Fox News found HERE speaks to the string of suicides in the United States that have been linked to bullying. This article tells the story of Amber Cornwell who took her life at the age of 16. We send our love and condolences to Amber's family and friends.

My heart breaks for those families and kids who are either grieving or wrestling with thoughts of ending their life. Every time a news story comes out like this, it makes me want to rally even stronger against bullying. We have got to change the mindset of kids and administrators alike that this is no laughing matter and is a very serious conversation.

"It's a Wonderful Life" plays across America around Christmas time because not only is it a classic but because there are lessons to be learned and held onto. I'm sure I'm not the only one who cries when George Bailey realizes what a wonderful life he has led and without him the town he grew up in would have been completely different. It causes me to look at my own life and be thankful for the loving family and friends that I have as well as force me to take a stand against those whose attitude mirrors Mr. Potter. Honestly, I can't see a realistic reason that would ever make it ok to push anyone down underneath your thumb. There have been studies done on why people bully such as they are being bullied, they are afraid of being bullied or they are feeling bad about themselves so they in turn force others to feel the same. All of these are terrible reasons to bully, but there is no right reason either.

My personal New Year's Resolution is to be more verbal about my stance on this issue. So when I see someone being bullied at work or when I'm babysitting, I will say something. I hope you will join me and take a stand to make our children safer and elimite suicides caused by bullying. There needs to be a change and the new year is a perfect way to start! Happy New Year!!!!

--Ruth Jackson

A Christmas Story

Christmas is just around the corner!! Can you believe it? Before we know it, we will all have to double check we wrote the date right! Many awesome things in store for Nobul in the coming year and we would like to thank you for reading our blog and being a part of what Nobul stands for.

Today, I came across an article about an actor in the movie 'A Christmas Story' who decided to stand up against bullying. Zack Ward, who played Scut Farkus, talks about how he feels about the issue penetrating kids and teens' lives across America. This is definitely a conversation that needed to happen and still does.

"I don't believe that children who are happy and content and feel loved and supported — those children don't go out and bully anybody," says Ward, who continued his career in acting in films such as Transformers, Almost Famous and numerous TV shows. Ward's point is very important it highlights the fact that we shouldn't just treat the symptoms of bullying, rather we need to go directly to the source. Sure, we can tell kids "don't bully one another" but if we don't offer an alternative or talk to the parents about the problem in depth, we will accomplish nothing. I love the fact that the actor who plays a bully sees the negative implications of his "actions."

I'm glad that his role of being the bully brought changes to Zack's understanding of the world as well as the harm that bullying can do. Not everyone has to play a bully in a movie or play in order to understand that bullying isn't a good thing. Personally, I'm extremely thankful for Zack sharing his point of view and encouraging others to be nicer to each other. We should be doing this year round, not just around Christmas time.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday whatever you celebrate!

--Ruth Jackson

"The Elephant in the Room"

Hi Everyone!

For some of us the semester is coming to a close and others it's just frenzy all the way around. The last week or so following Black Friday, life has jumped into hyper-drive, every waking moment is filled with something to accomplish and every sleeping moment is spent figuring out the next step. Anyways, let's get away from all that and focus on something that I feel isn't talked about enough. It seems that in our culture people aren't aware of pressing issues until someone dies, a phenomenon happens or news stories are splashed in front of our eyes for more than a 24hr period. None of these occurrences should have to happen in order for our nation, government or school system to wake up to what is really going on. Cyberbullying is a huge issue in our culture today and we need to start taking action to teach our youth the importance of creating safe, respectful online presences for themselves. Unfortunately, cyberbullying is so prominent it causes children to hurt themselves in many ways.

An article I found in the Huffington Post, Cyberbullying: The Elephant in the Room,  talks about Cyberbullying and the rampant movement of people, kids especially, being tormented and eventually leading to a non-reversible act. Many bullies prefer to harass online because it's virtually, no pun intended, anonymous. Today, we have the power to post things without sharing our names. So when someone does throw someone else down hard, it's difficult to figure out who is talking. Personally, I'm glad I didn't get a Facebook page until college. High school was bad enough without social media. 

In a nutshell, as parents, supervisors, guardians, teachers, older siblings etc. we all need to become better role models for those still growing up. We need to be "cyber-shields."  We NEED to be more aware of what is happening on the internet.  Lets inspire our youth to be loving instead of hateful.

To help protect yourself online you can:

- Keep your information private online and keep private information offline altogether
- Report users with abusive comments to website personnel, generally there is a "report user" button on websites that allow comments
- Tell someone you trust if you are being cyber bullied, a teacher, parent, friend or adult who can help
- If you see someone else being cyber bullied tell someone

--Ruth Jackson

Stories

Hope everyone is having a fantabulous week! Today, I wanted to bring your attention to this project: SELF EVIDENT TRUTHS. There is a lot to this site so I'm going to point out something that spoke to me. The first being a video I actually saw awhile ago and has brought tears to my eyes yet again. As a whole, the message this website is broadcasting is the fact that we all are unique and should be seen as individuals worthy of respect. Too often, we label others based on their skin color, accent, neighborhood or what "status" they have in society. This is not right. Why? Because everyone is different but first and foremost, a human being.

The video is about stories and how very often we only have as Chimamanda Adichie states, "a single story." For example, a friend tells you about a fight he/she had with a mutual friend. Until you've heard both sides, you haven't heard it all. Don't assume you've heard the whole story when in reality you've only heard one. Sometimes things get skewed or misunderstood. There have been countless times where I've wished people would have asked me what my side of the story was instead of assuming or looking at the situation one sided.

Another point worth mentioning, again, is that even though differences can be scary, getting to know people is a way to break down barriers. When we approach a person who has a disability we've never seen or from a country we've never explored or even someone who's just plain different from us. Instead of having a story already in our heads, let's be open minded and let them tell their story. Honestly, I wouldn't have the amount of uniqueness in my life if I hadn't had the courage to walk up people who were different from me. Exchange stories with someone new. See what he/she says about themselves. It may just be a whole new world.

--Ruth Jackson

Happy Thanksgiving

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I happened upon this website about a Thanksgiving Prayer written by a young child.

I would venture to say that many people who have been bullied understand what this child is trying to say and hopefully we can follow her lead. It's hard not to want to fight "fire with fire," but we should try to find a positive way to deal with it. My way? I used to bury myself into a fiction novel like Nancy Drew. It wasn't until I was older, in high school, when I decided to be the best Ruth Jackson I could be and not let their taunts get to me. Granted, that was not an easy thing to do but I couldn't stand going home and crying my heart out anymore.

Another website I found here gives a similar message conveying giving thanks for what we have yet keeping in mind those who are without a loved one. The state of Connecticut in particular has seen many cases where bullying goes to court and very often the behavior doesn't change. I'm sure other states have this issue as well including those who commit suicide. Bullying is not a laughing matter. It's a serious one that needs attention and I wholeheartedly agree with the writer, Mathew Jones, when he says, "We believe in reaching kids while they are young. Once they grow up change becomes much harder."

Together, we can make a difference. HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Gobble Gobble!

--Ruth Jackson

One Voice

Hello everyone! Today, I came across such a moving music video that I just had to share it with you. Here is the link. On the web page, the singer Nakita Turner, also shows a drawing that sends a powerful message.

One thing that I liked about this video as a whole is that there are people singing this from all walks of life and every nationality. Just listening to it, you honestly can't put a label on it. It's not a black song, it's not a white country song, instead it's just a song about putting an end to bullying. A simple and uplifting message of positivity.

Further down on the page, next to the lyrics there are questions I would like you all to think about. Do people's voices matter? Is is only some people or all people? Who gives you a voice that has a right to be heard? Not the bully...it's you! You have every right to be heard.

Here is a picture shown at the bottom of the website:

Do you think the words written in the picture would hurt a person or make them laugh? What are some positive words you can say to someone to make them smile? My drawing? It would be filled with the words/phrases "I love you" "You can do better" "HUGS!" "Smile" "There is a reason you're here" "Every minute is precious" "You got this!" "Don't give up" "I'm glad you're my friend" "Chocolate!" and I can come up with so many more. What can you come up with?

To learn more about Nakita, here is a news article about her and how she came up with this song, "One Voice."

Your voice matters so shout it loud and clear! Make a difference!

--Ruth Jackson

Difference Shouldn't Equal Scary

Today I want to introduce a commercial recently done by General Electric. When I first watched it, I was floored by the realness of it and how close the video hit home for me. I will admit also that the first few seconds after seeing the creature made me sick to my stomach. These feelings were caused by fear. I was truly afraid of what I was about to see, that I didn't want to even watch. Since this commercial came on my computer while I was watching a TV show, my mouse hovered over another tab so that I could hide it until it was over. I'm so glad that I didn't because the message G&E is portraying is a powerful one that many need to understand and appreciate.

There are a lot of things I could mention about this video, but I will limit myself to sharing two reactions. The first being that this "monster" is treated cruelly. Why? Because he's ugly, he's different, he's scary. Just because someone or something is weird or makes you uncomfortable doesn't justify you to have the right to treat it/the person horribly. How would you feel if that man threw a cup at you or if that woman yelled at you to "GET OUT!"?

Another point worth mentioning is that bullies tend to be the ones to lash out at those who are different. They huddle in groups and whisper. They feel pity. Why not lend a helping hand instead? Why not be a friend? I asked myself while watching this, "When we see someone who's different, why do so many treat them with contempt before getting to know them?" I love the fact that General Electric has made this commercial because it makes us think, really think about those new ideas and how we treat them.

It's true that "Ideas can be scary" but that shouldn't mean we should stay away. Instead, we should be like that G&E employee and help that "idea" grow into something more beautiful than we could ever imagine. Think about those inventors that got laughed at and now look around you. We have the light bulb, traffic lights, airplanes, solar energy all because those inventors didn't give up. If they all succumbed to taunts I'm sure they received, we wouldn't have the world we live in today.

If I ever get the chance to meet the person who came up with the initial idea for this commercial, I will applaud them! Well Done!

--Ruth Jackson

It Can Start with You (part 2)

In continuation of my last post, I wanted to talk more about what you can do about bullying. I found this article, Creating a Cyber-Shield Through Parenting and Awareness, on Huffington Post which is directed at parents in particular, but it's a good read for all of us.

Huffington Post has a number of articles surrounding the topic of bullying and this one discusses cyberbullying. Since the beginning of social media, there have been cyberbullies. Whether it be Facebook, Twitter, of even here on Blogger. Bullies still say hurtful things in person, but it's become more prevalent to throw even more lashes online. What can you do about it?

The article linked here talks about parents being a "cyber-shield' for their children. Personally, I believe this is a great way to monitor what your children are saying and receiving. There is however, a right and wrong way to do this. As children are growing older, they should be allowed to make decisions on their own, but at the same time be mindful. I love the fact that this piece gives examples and advice to parents in order for them to be a cyber-shield and cyber-role model for their kids.

Growing up, I'm glad I wasn't on Facebook. I was more of a reader and enjoyed playing soccer in my downtime. Even so, keeping young kids away from social media might not be such a bad road to take. The younger they are, the more susceptible they are. While they are in high school, even though bullies can be more vicious here, giving them access to social media, but being a cyber-shield can be beneficial. This gives the tweens and teens ability to talk to one another and share ideas, pictures, videos and even articles. There are some things that texting just isn't capable of doing.

Granted, I don't have kids of my own right now, but I hope when I get to that point I will be able to be an effective cyber-shield for my children. All it takes is for the parent/guardian to understand the implications of bullying and be willing to take the time to teach their child how to behave in person as well as online. It can start with YOU! What will you do in the fight against bullying?

--Ruth Jackson

It Can Start with YOU

Hello everyone! For those of you in school, it's almost halfway until the end of first semester!

Today, I wanted to talk more about what you can do to stop bullies in their tracks. I found National Education Association (NEA) a couple days ago that talks specifically about what educators and teachers can do about bullying. Many schools are advocating for a bully-free school zone, but until teachers and administrators take action, that thought is just a thought.

Looking back at my growing up years in school, I wish the adults in my life took a stand against the bullies that kept attacking me. Some thought I would learn to overcome adversity through all this, but even though I  can sense that what I went through made me stronger and stand up for myself, having someone around who cared and wanted to help would have made such a difference. This is why whenever I see someone else being bullied, I make my presence known. NEA's president Lily Eskelsen Garcia explains, "I hope to never hear an educator or parent or a Sunday School teacher say to a frightened bullied child, 'Just ignore it.' School that are seeing a decrease in bullying are no ignoring it. They are acting."

I'll admit, I'm a no nonsense kind of girl and I take bullying seriously because I know what it's like. Whether or not you know what it's like to be bullied, take a stand and let that kid know he/she is not alone. Help them build confidence. Even if no one else is standing by their side, it can start with you.

Ignoring the issue is not the solution. Facing it head on and being a verbal/active advocate makes the difference. You don't have to be the hero in the moment, even if you just acknowledge what happened afterwards you will be doing the right thing. You can send a simple text message, or just let the person know that you saw what happened and you don't think it is okay.

Check out the website I linked above. Make a difference and let it start with YOU!

--Ruth Jackson

Focus on the Bullies

Today I want to shift our perspective. For awhile, I've been talking about being bullied. This time I want to discuss the bully.

I found this article to be quite fascinating: Overcoming Bullying and Depression. While it is long, I'm only going to talk about the first few paragraphs in particular. Personally, I was surprised at the statistics and research results from Education.com. The article explains that the bully and the bullied both experience increased depression and suicidal ideation as a result of their experience with being bullied and bullying another person. In fact, the bullies themselves have an "even higher rate of suicidal ideation than those being bullied." Psychologists explain that many bullies have psychological problems can can be causing the bullying. Looking back at my high school life, I'm trying to think if maybe the kids who bullied me were in a bad place emotionally.

Looking at the bully from a wider scope doesn't mean we excuse their behavior it just helps us understand their behavior. Bullies are humans too and understanding their behavior can inspire compassion.

Reading this article I wondered if my bullies felt the same way as I did; alone, depressed, worthless and tired. A few times I even felt like running away and hiding somewhere in the woods so that I wouldn't have to go back to school.

Bullies are hurtful for all sorts of reasons. If we take a step back and think about where this hostile behavior is coming from, maybe instead of avoiding them you might just be able to understand them. You never know until you try.

If you or anyone else you know is suicidal or needs help please visit the KIDS HELPLINE here.

Have a great week!

--Ruth Jackson

Letting Go of Hatred

I want to thank Frankie, the co-founder of Nobul, who brought this particular TED Talk to my attention. There are quite a few TED Talks that speak to the topic of terrorism, but Zak's speech in particular, about overcoming the barriers he thought were impenetrable, is something worth listening to. Personally, I thought this was beyond powerful and courageous for him to do this.

I am the son of a terrorist. Here's how I chose peace.

Many people were taught to fear the "other,"people who were different from them, in their upbringing. Some people were told that Black people are less intelligent than white people, that people with disabilities are incapable of learning and that people from different religions than their own should be avoided.  Negative stereotypes like these separate communities, groups and people from each other. I do my best not to categorize people and instead look at them as an individual. My Dad in particular tried really hard to make sure we didn't listen to "You Can't" because "We Can!" Each one of us is unique and when we push negative thoughts aside and hold on to positive people around us, we can indeed soar!

Zak said many things that resonated with me and almost brought me to tears. It's true that hatred demands so much energy while liking someone is easy in comparison. There will always be people who we don't like and that's alright, we don't have to like everyone, but we have to respect them. Growing up, I've watched teachers make fun of kids in the classroom who were different which negatively influenced the environment. I encourage everyone, especially those in authority, to really take a look at themselves and make the necessary changes to bring positivity into the space.

To the younger crowd, I hope what Zak said makes sense. Zak explains that peace is a choice and violence is a choice and each one of us is in control of what we choose. Spreading joy, peace, love, goodness and a host of other positive emotions and actions is far easier than finding new ways to hurt someone because of who they are. Like Zak's mother said, "I'm tired of hating people." Turn that around and make someone smile instead of hurt.

Enjoy your week!

--Ruth Jackson

What Can You do about Bullying?

Hello Everyone!

I don't know about you, but I had a crazy busy week. Everyday was filled with work with only a bit of "me" time. One positive I can spin out of my hectic life is that I came across some books dealing with overcoming bullies. Some are geared for Elementary kids and others I found are for middle schoolers and above. The book I want to talk about today is more around a second grade reading level, but has interesting and I believe, important points made by the author.

The book is called, Llama Llama and the Bully Goat. What I want to highlight is that Llama told someone about the issue he was having with Bully Goat and his life changed for the better. Sometimes we think that telling someone will only make things worse. I agree, that there are cases where if you trust the wrong person, your plan backfires. This is why trust is so vitally important. With bullying on the rise, more and more adults/supervisors and teachers are being made aware of what to watch for and how to help you and me.

I'll never forget the time when a police officer came to my aid when a group of students were causing trouble for me. This was at a horse camp when I was around the age of 10. For whatever reason, these kids decided I was to be their target for the summer. Once I made it known that I was not happy at all with how they were treating me, the police officer stepped in. From that day forward he looked out of me and those kids didn't bother me one more time. Instead, I was able to forge to new friendship and had a great rest of Horse Camp. Honestly, if I hadn't talked with that police officer, I would have been miserable.

So I encourage you to either read Llama Llama and the Bully Goat or actively find someone you can trust. Whether or not you're in a bad situation now, try to pick out someone you'd go to for help so when the time comes, you know exactly who to go to.

I hope you all have a fantastic week!

--Ruth Jackson

Choices

Hello everyone! Gorgeous morning and I just saw some yellow leaves!! Super stoked for Fall, I even reorganized my closet and sadly put my shorts away. Looking back it was a busy working summer, but I did manage to have some fun in between. Never did get to the beach though....NEXT TIME!

Today, I wanted to talk about a site I came across a couple weeks ago here. When perusing the website, I felt honored to read people's stories about bullying; both sad and courageous ones. Even though middle school was a long time ago, I still remember the words thrown at me and the looks on their faces. There are so many stories on here and love the fact that there is such a place for kids to share and feel welcomed versus the atmosphere school gives.

Personally, I believe one of the biggest hurdles when being bullied is not feeling alone. This site helps kids not only see that other people are going through the same thing, but hopefully gives them courage to stand up. If it weren't for my friends growing up, I honestly have no idea where I'd be.

I choose respect, love, kindness, generosity, inclusion and peace! What do you choose?

--Ruth Jackson

Anti-Bullying Weekend - September 12 - 14

The weather has made it's choice, it's "officially" Fall! I'm actually not happy about this. I was wearing my flip flops yesterday and my feet were FREEEZZINNG!! Oh, well. We all knew it was coming.

Anyways, I'm not sure how many of you know this, but this past weekend was designated as "Anti-Bullying Weekend" by Springfield Massachusetts's Mayor Domenic Sarno. This event is in memory of an 11-year-old boy who committed suicide in 2009 due to bullying. Along with the Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover Foundation, they see the importance of spreading the word about the impact of bullying. Awareness is the key to helping put an end to this disrespect of each other.

Over the past four years, the foundation has raised money to distribute scholarships to high school seniors across the country that have demonstrated efforts to combat bullying in their schools and communities. Leaders and Mayors in various states have gotten together to help each other build a safer community.

Mark this on your calendars for next year, but also keep in mind what bullying does. Everything has a consequence. What's the consequence of bullying? Carl's story is just one of many.

If you are a high school senior who would like to apply for the scholarship you can do so HERE! Remember BE A BUDDY NOT A BULLY.


More about the event and foundation.

--Ruth Jackson

Understanding the Bully

Beautiful day outside yet, the weather can't seem to make up its mind between Summer and Fall. I actually feel that same way. On one hand, I don't want Summer to end, but....I do love Fall and its pretty colors and I love breaking out my sweatpants and cute sweaters. Each season has its benefits and beauty.

Today, I'd like to talk about the media/entertainment and its role in discussing bullying. Many movies have scenes where bullying takes place like the one I talked about earlier, "Bridge to Terabithia." According to the U.S. Department of Natural Health and Human Services, between 1 and 4 and 1 and 3 students say they have been bullied at school. There have been numerous studies done that show bullying effecting youth as they grow into adulthood.

One of the reasons why I wanted to join Nobul is because I feel very strongly about bullying not only since I've often been the target, but because I can still feel the effects. I love being able to speak out about bullying and have a chance to change people's thinking. Writing about it is one way to spread awareness as are speeches, advertisements, movies etc. When you feel strongly about something, I suggest you take action in whatever medium you feel comfortable using. Writing is my passion so I use it to talk about topics that mean something to me.

Many journalists, producers and the like have spoken against bullying which is definitely a good thing, though we must be careful not to become hateful. We want to spread inclusion not hate, especially not hate against the "bully" himself.  In many instances a person who is bullying another person is struggling in other areas of his or her life and it is important to show compassion to such individuals. We don't want to criminalize the bully, instead we want to teach the bully and the bullied how to self-regulate behavior and provide them with tools to manage difficult and stressful situations.

Goldie Hawn's foundation, MindUP, is a 12 step program that teaches children mindfulness to help improve perspective taking, empathy and kindness as well as foster complex problem solving skills.  This program embodies Nobul's mission and goals in creating a safe environment for all children.

No one should have to endure bullying. I believe the first step to snapback against bullying is to become aware of how great the problem is and to learn how we can help manage such situations. To see bullying statistics posted by the U.S. Government, here is the link.

--Ruth Jackson

Michael Brown: What Now?

Hello All!! Labor Day is behind us and I trust you had a relaxing last weekend before the warm weather ends. Today, I wanted to address the Michael Brown shooting. If you don't know anything about it, I suggest you look here. I searched long and hard to find an article that didn't appear to have a particular slant in any direction. This incident is a sad one, yet still needs to be looked at closely before shouting out accusations.

Until we have all the facts, I don't believe that any one of us should blame the police or Michael himself. Apparently, there has been a bit of mistrust between the African American community and the police force. I don't live in Missouri, so I won't give an opinion on that. Just hope that overtime and with a lot of open communication, both sides can be peaceful with one another.

I hope there is a fair and just trial for police officer Darren Wilson, though community members are worried Robert P. McCulloch, the lead official handling the investigation, will be bias towards the police force. We send our love and condolences to the friends and family of Michael Brown and are very sorry for their loss.

Protesters, including Lesley McFadden, Michael Brown's mother, marched in Ferguson, Mo.
Photo: New York Times

--Ruth Jackson

Bridge to Terabithia Through New Eyes

Hello guys! I wanted to share something that I think will help us see the whole picture in relation to bullying. Recently, I watched "Bridge to Terabithia" for what seems like the tenth time. Despite this fact, I saw the movie with new eyes. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, here is a synopsis of it. I found that the scenes when Scott Hoger kept taunting Jess with "Beep....beep...loser alert" and some girls making fun of Leslie's essay hit home for me because growing up kids did similar things to me.

One of the things I love about this movie is that it shows Janice Avery, a bully at the beginning, change when she realizes what it's like to be on the otherside. I strongly believe that if we stop and think carefully about how other people feel when we mock them, we will change our behavior. I've yet to see this happen with those who bullied me, but regardless of that I've made a vow to never be like them.

As you watch this film, you'll see the changes in the main characters...well...except for Scott. Scott still has some growing up to do. The more you get to know someone, the more you see how human they are, fragile and want to feel love and acceptance, just like you do. I'm crying already just thinking about the scene where Mrs. Myers tells Jess her story. At the beginning, the kids all call her "Monster Myers." No one has a clue as to the pain she's hiding.

We don't know the story about the girl who's always quiet or the boy who'd rather play by himself than kickball with other kids. Bridge to Terabithia made me cry, but also made me smile because even though this is a fiction story, we can learn from it.

Here is the trailer, if you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend it!

--Ruth Jackson

Does Anyone Know What the Opposite of Bullying is?

Hope you all had a wonderful week full of shopping, picnics and last minute summer vacations! Amidst my hectic week of traveling, working and meeting with friends, I came across this interesting article, The Positive Psychology of Empathy. This really got me thinking in a totally new direction.

What is the opposite of bullying? I never really thought about it before diving into this piece. The article's author, Patty O'Grady, Ph.D, says the answer is empathy. Think about it. When you put your own perceptions aside and think about how the other is feeling and understand, you tend to draw closer to that person. He or she becomes a real human being with feelings that matter and not someone to pick on.

I have to admit, the article gets into some pretty deep, scientific stuff. Talking about what happens inside your body when you feel empathy etc.. I'm not a science girl at all, instead I'm the crafty, imaginative, creative person. Regardless of all that, this is fascinating and I hope you think so too. 

Do you ever wonder why when you see someone else cry, you feel like crying? The motor neurons are the culprit. On the flipside these special neurons are a good thing because as the article describes, we each can empathize with one another. When we stop and think about the other person's feelings and how we would feel if we were in that situation, we tend to not shoot our mouths off or purposely hurt another person. 

I encourage you to empathize with your friends, family and neighbors. How would you feel if you were having a bad day and someone decided to trip you on the way down the stairs? What if your uncle passed away and you felt like crying all day? We should care about each other, not tear one another up. What good does that do? Nothing. 

My last thought I impart onto you all is, put yourself in another person's shoes and empathize instead of putting them down. Who knows, maybe you have something in common.

SNAPBACK AGAINST BULLYING

-Ruth 

Robin Williams - Idealistic and Loveable

As we all know by now, the actor Robin Williams passed away in his home in California on August 11, 2014. He was a gifted comedian and actor who had struggles just like you and me. His wife, Susan Schneider, issued a statement ending with "...His greatest legacy, besides his three children, is the joy and happiness he offered to others, particularly to those fighting personal battles." "Robin McLaurin Williams." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 17 Aug. 2014. Even though his life ending in a tragic way, we can all learn from his inspiration and constant encouragement to "beeeee yourself" (from Genie in Aladdin).

I'm sure we all have favorite movies we shared with him, so I'll share mine which is Flubber. Personally, I found the movie to be hilarious! Flubber, which was an invention of Robin William's character, Professor Phillip Brainard, was a film that passed on the message of "The stuff that dreams are made of." This brings me to a quote of his that I think goes hand in hand with Nobul Apparel's theme.

"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world." 

                                                                                    - Robin Williams

This is exactly what we are trying to do. Nobul wants to change people's perspectives on bullying. Not only that, but to take it one step further and think about the consequences of those actions. I strongly believe that many people get roped into bullying others because "everyone hates so and so" or they are scared they will get bullied if they don't become the bullier. Our idea of spreading inclusion instead of oppression can change how people think. Each one of you can change the world, your world, when you act differently than your peers. Take the video on Nobul's website, about the football team who decided to take a stand. Each person on that team could have decided to treat Keith like many others choose too, by bullying him, but instead they decided to really make him a member of their team.

No matter how uncommon your idea is if it makes someone else feel welcomed, do it! Who knows, maybe you'll change your world. :)

Look at the Other Side

Having a good day so far? As the new intern for Nobul Apparel, I wanted to introduce myself and give you something to think about regarding the topic of bullying.

For starters, my name is Ruth Jackson and I hail from the town of Windsor, CT where I was born and raised. My parents valued both of their children's vast interests and individualities. Growing up, I wanted to be a nurse, then a veterinarian, a librarian, an airline pilot and now, an author. My disability hindered many career paths and I found myself thinking, "I can't." In school, people thought I was stupid and sometimes contagious. All I wanted, still do, is a friend who cares and wants to get to know me. I hope this video will inspire you to reach out to those who are different from you.

Being different isn't something to be ashamed of. Instead, you should explore your personal uniqueness and meet others who are not quite like you. You never know what you might find out. Whether the person has a disability or is from another country, you should ask. Broaden your horizons! I invite you to watch this short video about life as a unique person in this world.

On a personal note, people with disabilities very often have the most amazing ways of viewing life. Having a disability is hard, I know. Most of my life was spent trying to figure out how I fit in this world. It's difficult being different and some people don't realize how difficult. I agree with both Alex and Skye, asking is the best way to get to know someone. I too, rather have someone ask about my difference rather than gossip or bully me about it.

I thoroughly love meeting new people for the purpose of hearing their stories. A guy I met a few years ago, I will name him Charlie, was from Botswana. He opened my eyes to how some people live. The continent of Africa is a strange place to me, I've never been there, only seen pictures from the news or history books. The media often only tells one side of a story so hearing a person's first hand account is most likely more accurate. He grew up poor with seven brothers and sisters. His parents never went to college and he was the first to go. Hearing his stories sometimes made me cry. What I have grown up with in America, he never had a taste of until coming to Washington DC for college. I had never met someone like him and I look forward to meeting new people with awesome stories to tell!

So next time you meet someone and you find out they are from a tiny island in the middle of the Mediterranean you've never heard of or they have dyslexia, just ask them about it! It's amazing what you can find out!

-Ruth Jackson

For Bad Hair Days: Dress Up your Snapback

images from WhoWhatWear.com

Many days out of my week are bad hair days. We all know that washing your hair every day is damaging but for me not washing it can be frightening. I am plagued with greasy tresses naturally and on top of that forcing myself to the gym a few times a week leaves my hair sweaty and dirty! Fortunately, Cindy here (our model below, lets just call her Cindy) shows us how to fix our bad hair days with style and panache! She makes her snapback look effortlessly chic and professional to boot! In the summer I wear hats a lot more frequently to help protect my face from the sun and now to protect my hair from over-washing. 

Tips on how to get Cindy's looks in the midst of a bad hair day:

On any regular bad hair day or after a gym session, I like to take a body shower and put some dry shampoo or baby powder in my hair to help absorb excess oil. There are some expensive dry shampoos out there, I like Bumble and Bumble because they have dry shampoo with tinted colors. I have dark brown hair and I usually get the Blondish Hair Powder.  The only downside to Bumble and Bumble is it is expensive. If you want something wallet friendly I recommend Suave! You can get this at almost any local drug store or online HERE for super cheap. The Keratin Infused Suave dry shampoo is really great. Waring this does come out white so be careful with how much you spray on, I have a tendency to over do it. 

I brush out my hair and put some Morracan Oil (available on Amazon) at the tips to help with dry ends. Sometimes, I will use a flat iron or a curling iron on the ends of my hair as well. 

This way when I choose my favorite NOBUL SNAPBACK I am really fooling everyone because the ends of my hair look styled. Since Nobul has so many different styles and color options, I don't have a problem finding a hat that works with what I'm wearing. When in doubt, I wear the Black on Black Python which is super sleek yet still a street-style statement piece. Remember every time you wear your Nobul snapback you are spreading a message of love, piece and acceptance!

Style Tip of the Day: How to wear your Graphic T Street Style

image from Who What Wear

T-shirts are so great for so many things; bedtime, errand time, couch time and lounging! BUT what about dressing up your favorite tee for a funkier everyday look? Combining your classic tee with a printed blazer and layered statement necklaces creates some tomboy edge and transforms your outfit!

Don't have a favorite tee?? Nobul has you covered (see below) our grey shirts are NOW ON SALE!! SHOP NOW! Not only will you look fabulous in our classic t-shirt you will be spreading the message to be a POSITIVE person and to make a commitment to no bullying! Being Nobul means loving yourself and others and appreciating human differences.

Paris Fashion Week: Street Style Gone Nobul

Street Style Fashionistas during Paris Fashion Week can't get enough of our Nobul Snapbacks! We love how these ladies use Nobul to accessorize their looks in such a strong way...

The pops of color in this shabby, everyday chic look are fabulous. We love how she paired our floral snapback with her edgy crop top to balance her look! 

Black on black on black is always a Nobul favorite! We love the bold statement of our oversized Nobul snapback and how she used it to perfectly accent her sleek look.





Not only do these ladies look fierce, they are standing up for a Nobul cause. Their snapbacks are sending  powerful messages of love, peace and acceptance. Grab your snapback HERE and join our Nobul Nation. Be Positive. Be Yourself. Be Nobul.

Original images found on ELLE

My Brown Baby - Teaching Girls the Importance of Character

Denene Millner, author of the blog My Brown Baby, wrote a very interesting article for Refinery 29 on what's wrong with telling a little girl she's pretty. Millner has a beautiful four-year-old daughter who receives compliments on her beauty frequently. This makes Millner uncomfortable not because she doesn't want her daughter to hear she's beautiful, but because she thinks there is more to her beauty than just her cuteness. She tells her daughter her beauty runs deep,"You're so pretty...but more importantly, you're smart and kind and have the type of stubborn determination that'll take you places." Millner says in raising her daughter she stresses the importance of building intellect, being honest, having a strong body and being compassionate.

Millner explains that the seeds she sprinkles in our "color struck, body-obsessed, white-washed world" are  seeds of self acceptance and positivity. She tells her daughter. " Yes, you’re a cutie, but really that means nothing in comparison to the beauty of character. That’s what will carry you through life with grace. That’s what will help you make lasting relationships and wise decisions. That’s what will help you realize how truly full of beauty you are. Not because of your smile, but because of the way it radiates warmth. Not because of your eyes, but because of how they see good in others. Not because of your hair, but because of how it reflects your bursting personality. Your beauty is ever-present. You don’t need eyes to see it.”

Millner's daughter is so lucky to be raised by such a strong, smart woman. By teaching the importance of character, Millner is providing her daughter with the most important tools for a successful, happy life. My mother raised me with similar morals and taught me the importance of being a good person and treating other people with respect. To be cliche, I was taught true beauty is on the inside. I am sure the reason Millner's daughter receives so many compliments on her beauty is because she is so wonderful on the inside that it shows outwardly. 

News Anchor Responds To Hurtful Letter About Her Weight With Eloquence

 

A Morning News 8 anchor received an extremely insulting letter surrounding her weight which called her a "bad example" for young girls across America. The News anchor handled the situation with poise and understanding and teaches us all something in her response.

If you want to learn more about the actual correlations between weight and health and the associated myths that lead to bullying and bigotry like this, check out The Fat Nutritionist.

Johnny Cupcakes - Inspirational Entrepreneur

Johnny Earle, better known as JohnnyCupcakes, started his t-shirt line in 2001 at the age of 19 selling merchandise out of suitcases from the back of his car. Now, Johnny is recognized as one of the 30 most innovative businessmen in Massachusetts and was voted America's #1 Young Entrepreneur by Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Johnny Cupcake has expanded to 6 Bakery locations world wide where he sells his iconic t-shirts, sweaters, shorts, under garments and pins. You will not find his garments in any other retail store which adds to the exclusivity of the brand and reflects his authenticity to not "sell out" to corporate America. Motivated by passion and not greed, Johnny is an inspiration to the Nobul Brand.

Johnny created a lecture series on how to start a unique business with little to no start up money. He travels to colleges, universities and high schools around the country to share his experiences and spread knowledge around good business practices.

Viraj Puri - Who says a 13 year old can't change the world?!

As we all know, social media is a common vessel for modern day bullying. So much so that 'Cyber Bullying' is something that has touched all of us in some way.  We have all seen those extreme comments on an Instagram or Twitter post. Some people's reactions are to fight back. Others are to stay quiet and not get involved. Others sit back and wonder how someone could be so mean and hurtful without even knowing who they are insulting nor their audience. Well, a young man by the name of Viraj Puri has taken a very unique approach to cyber bullying. 

Check out this BBC exclusive video that depicts the basic idea behind Viraj's anti-bullying approach. We find this analytic approach to be profound for such a young mind! Not convinced? Check out his blog - Bullyvention. This blog exhibits his work with Capital Hill to create intriguing heat maps based on formulas that categorize social media conversations with bullying keywords and tones. 

Viraj has done all the work for us. If you agree with him that "even if we save just one person from committing suicide, it makes a huge difference," let your voice be heard! Write on Washington!

Michael Sam - Our Man! Top NFL Prospect Proudly Says He's Gay

Michael Sam, an All-American defensive lineman at the University of Missouri, came to tell the world in an ESPN interview that he is an "openly proud gay man." Sam was named the top defensive player in the Southeastern Conference and is expected to be picked in the NFL draft in May 2014. Sam's choice to publically acknowledge his sexuality before beginning his professional career shows extreme courage.

Sam thanked ESPN, NYTimes and the NFL for their support on his recently created Twitter account @MikeSamFootball where he already has 61K followers! We are inspired by Michael Sam to be truthful and fearless!

Pope Francis on LGBT Rights: #PopeSpeakOut on Twitter Campaign

Pope Francis' famously tolerant quote "Who am I to judge a gay person of goodwill who seeks the lord?" begs for substantial change within the Catholic Church. This one statement does not guarantee any practical change and there is a lot more the Pope can do to help LGBTs around the world who face legal and physical victimization. 

So, what can you do to ask the Pope to do more? You can join the New Way Ministries Twitter Campaign with #PopeSpeakOut to persuade Pope Francis to speak out against anti-LGBT laws around the globe.

Much more needs to be done for the LBGT community but, small strides are more helpful than none. The fact that the head of an institution that has been so openly homophobic and intolerant for so long has any kind words to say about Gays is a step in the right direction. Huffington Post's Gay Voices Editor, Noah Michelson, says Pope Francis' words are "hopeful."