I just read an incredible book!!!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

It is called Please Stop Laughing at Me by Jodee Blanco.

OMG, what an amazing book. She was horribly bullied throughout her school years. It was shocking and sad. Her resilience and strength of character are amazing. How she survived is amazing.

It also helped me see how some of the teasing I had in gradeschool and Highschool still affect me. I am hoping that now I can face some of the challenges that I have, with understanding of why I fear being laughed at.....and I think I finally understand why I have become overweight, and more importantly what has held me back.


I really recommend this book, I started reading it tonight, and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!!! Finished it in 4 hours. I even wrote to her, I was so inspired!

 

[snoopy]

Wow. That is great that you've had so much inspiration from it.

I've told this story so many times on the DIS, but you've made me think of it again. When I was in 3rd grade my mother, the most compassionate person alive, insisted that I befriend this girl in my school who was horribly bullied. She invited her over to our house to play, and from then on, she and I were friends. I lost touch with her after high school graduation but I saw her at our reunion and it was a complete transformation. What was once a skinny, shy, gawky girl was now this beautiful, self assured woman. We talked for a long time and she credits my mother with having given her the courage to overcome all that bullying and make something out of her life. It was so wonderful to see, I wish my mother was alive, she would have been so pleased to know that she made such an impact on this girl's life. I'm sure the author of this book will feel just as pleased when she get your letter.

 

[Betsyt82]

Snoopy it sounds like you mom was a smart woman. Bullies are.......... Well I could not find a word that covers what I feel for bullies that was not on the list of words not to print here.

Sounds like a good book. I'll have to read it this summer.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by PRINCESS VIJA
I am hoping that now I can face some of the challenges that I have, with understanding of why I fear being laughed at.....and I think I finally understand why I have become overweight, and more importantly what has held me back.

--------------------------------

I think you are really "on" to something here.. Many, many times the roots of being overweight are far deeper than just not being able to stick to a diet or choosing the proper foods.. (I know this for a FACT with the poor young woman I mentioned who is now on life support.. Horrible, horrible past experiences that I won't reveal in detail here.. ) In my case, I think the same applies to my smoking and the difficulty I am having in quitting - it's a way I have come to depend on in order to "cope" with all the crap I have gone through - and continue to go through - in my life.. Not an "excuse" by any means - just an understanding of how and why things happen.. I need to find a better way to "cope" and I'm working on that..

As for reading the book you mentioned - it sounds really interesting - but truth be known, if I were to read it I'm sure I would be SOOOOOO angry (I hate bullying) I would want to track down those kids and pound them one!!!!

I'm so glad that you found it to be both inspiring and insightful and I wish you the VERY best in your journey ahead!!

Don't forget - I'm just a PM away if you want some encouragement or just someone to "talk" to..

Hugs,
C.Ann

 

[Desiree]

Thanks Princess Vija.. I'm going to look for that book!