Day 20_Be True to Yourself

Hola! Welcome back!

Hey, today we're dealing with the last kind of justice for this course. You might know a little something about it. Hang in there. It gets better fast.

Consider this bad juju: lies, bullying and smear campaigns meant to hurt feelings and destroy reputations.

Sometimes people we thought we could trust start a campaign of lies or gossip against us or those we love. They try to pull people away from us. They divide friendships.

It's an example of a lack of character, and it shows a cruel lack of integrity.

This sort of action usually stems from jealousy or a fear of losing control.

Has this happened to you or someone close to you?

What happened?

What did you or the person close to you do about it?

What was the result?

An example of this type of injustice is shown in the 1939 classic, 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'.

Mr. Smith, played by the legendary Jimmy Stewart, is a small-town man of integrity who becomes a US Senator. When he refuses to go against his conscience and vote the way Sen. Paine and Mr. Taylor want him to vote, then he becomes the object of a malicious smear campaign by the two of them.

Go to the video icon to see how Sen. Smith fights back. Tell us if you liked the clip when you've finished.

What did you think of the young Sen. Smith's situation and the way he handled it?

It's difficult to engage people in this unfair practice.

Sometimes their behavior is a public thrashing that makes you look bad no matter how you respond. Sometimes their actions are sneaky but equally powerful and diabolical in their intent.

Their bullying behavior stems from their own fear or jealousy or an exaggerated sense of injustice that has nothing to do with you. They're most afraid of being called out.

If you wage war through social media or public confrontations, you'll be made to look foolish. (Think about some of the recent social media feuds you've seen. Ugly!)

We don't recommend retaliation. That will only make you look bad, and you run the risk that the instigator will gain sympathy from others.

In the end, truth and living a life of integrity are your best defenses. In short, be honest and keep being you. Do that, and you've already won.

How willing are you to follow through with that suggestion?

Here's another way to handle the situation:

Be very careful with this approach. It has to be done with sincere humility or it will backfire on you.

If it's possible to do so, approach the key player who's turned against you.

*In a private conversation - that means face to face with no one around to hear you
*Tell them what you've seen or heard in a calm manner
*Ask what they meant by it
*Explain very calmly the truth of the matter, or you could tell them that what they said or did was very hurtful if that applies
*Let them know that you're not going to allow their tactics to steal your peace of mind
*Smile
*Walk away with dignity

Can you do this without attitude or making yourself look like a martyr? That's the only way it will work.

At the same time, if you've done this to someone else, describe how you can approach them, apologize and make amends if it's still possible to do so.

If you have a chance, stream or check out the DVD of 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.'

Post to your 'Camps' if you watch it and tell them what you thought.