Today’s prompt from Linda Hill:
“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “run.” Use it as a noun, a verb, use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!”
“RUN Forest, RUN!” was the first thing I thought of. I’ve watch Forest Gump how many times? At least 20, but who’s counting? It’s on tonight, and I might watch it again. Okay, I don’t really watch the whole thing every time. I’m also on the computer, or doing laundry….. but I’ll pay attention to my favorite parts, like when Forest and Jenny meet in Washington and everybody cheers when Forest in his army uniform embraces the hippie chick in the cement pond. If you want to just watch the reunion embrace, go to 3 minutes into this video:
Forest Gump is a movie about many things and has great music. In the beginning, Jenny tells Forest to run from the bullies so he doesn’t get beat up. Later, she tells him to run to save his life when he’s about to go to Vietnam, where he does run but also becomes a hero saving his buddies who don’t all make it.
Sometimes it’s good to run or avoid bullies. I admit that avoiding conflict is my default fault. Though why not avoid unnecessary conflict? Still, there are times when we need to face conflict with courage. There are times when we need to stand up for ourselves or someone else whether it’s a helpless animal, a child, or someone being harassed.
I recently read an article my friend shared on FB about what a bystander can do when witnessing harassment. (I had to type that word three times before it came out right.) The following article contains options about what a bystander can do when someone else is being harassed. It has something called the five Ds. (As an aside, there are four Ds for quitting smoking or other addictions: Distract, Delay, Drink Water, Do something else. I know it’s not that simple.)
The five Ds of intervention if we are a bystander go something like this:
Direct Intervention (after assessing for safety)
Distract by engaging the targeted person supportively
Delegate by enlisting help from a third party
Delayed response (this could also be debriefing)
Document
Okay, that’s five Ds. As you might guess, I broke out of the stream of consciousness for a brief period to go the article, but only because this is important. I can imagine being supportive of the person who is targeted easier than I can directly addressing the harasser. But I hope if I’m ever in this situation, I can be courageous and safe at the same time.
Here’s the article: SPLC on Campus: A guide to bystander intervention | Southern Poverty Law Center (splcenter.org)
I guess Jenny’s “Run Forest, Run!” is somewhere between direct intervention and distraction.
Now I wish I’d shared the video of Forest and Jenny here, because I like to end on a happy note. Well, you can always go back and watch the end of the video again. 🙂
Or you can watch this video of happy animals playing, running, and Jumping:
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For more streams of consciousness, rules and guidelines, run on over to Linda’s blog:
The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS March 27, 2021 | (lindaghill.com)
March 27, 2021 at 7:23 am
I’ve never seen Forrest Gump. You have made me realise that is an omission I should put right
March 27, 2021 at 10:26 am
I hope you like it. The movie has some sad parts, but it’s also got a philosophical whimsy about it, plus the songs from the late 60s/early 70s. I was going to buy the book, but it didn’t look that good which is rare. Usually books are better.
March 27, 2021 at 1:02 pm
Thanks
March 27, 2021 at 9:08 am
I enjoyed watching the video of happy animals JoAnna.
March 27, 2021 at 4:44 pm
Good! I’m glad you enjoyed it! I watched it twice. 🙂
March 27, 2021 at 11:01 am
I haven’t watched Forrest Gump in a long time. Perhaps one of these days, I’ll have to revisit. I am with you, JoAnna, I’ll face conflict if I have to, but would prefer to avoid it if possible. It makes sense, with harassment, to support the targeted person first and make sure they are okay. The harasser wants conflict and if you take that out of the equation, it weakens the attack. I always hope and pray that I will be strong enough to do the right thing if ever in that situation.
Thanks for the fun animal video. It’s not only children and adult young at heart who like to play.
March 27, 2021 at 5:07 pm
I agree on all counts! I had enough conflict in my 30 years as an addiction counselor. But I’d still support and protect the vulnerable if I can. Glad you enjoyed the video!
March 27, 2021 at 1:56 pm
Love the happy animal video!! Thanks for sharing 😊
March 27, 2021 at 8:02 pm
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
March 27, 2021 at 4:48 pm
Thanks for sharing the five Ds of intervention. When my boys were kids I had to intervene with bullies on a number of occasions. I can only hope that I would respond with courage should the need arises.
March 27, 2021 at 8:26 pm
You’re welcome, Rosliene. My son had run ins with bullies, too. The cumulative effects led to him drop out of high school. I was devastated at the time, but getting his diploma through night school turned out to be the best thing he could have done.
March 28, 2021 at 12:29 pm
So glad that night school worked out for the best for your son.
March 27, 2021 at 11:43 pm
The ones I like are the ones where big cats (lions, tigers etc.) are in an animal sanctuary and act like house cats. The keepers put a box in the area and one or more will try and get into it, or put pumpkins in around Halloween and they’ll bat them around and eat them.
March 28, 2021 at 9:29 pm
I look forward to seeing those! 🙂
March 28, 2021 at 8:04 am
It is a great film. It reminsds me of The Hundred year old man who stepoped out of the window and dissapeared.”
March 28, 2021 at 9:33 pm
Wow! I had not heard of the 100 year old man who disappeared! Sounds interesting.
March 28, 2021 at 8:09 am
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and video!… I have seen Forrest Gump, a subtle hint about society… 🙂 hopefully today’s technology will enable people to unite and deal with bullies instead of a few having to go it alone… 🙂
Until we meet again..
May your spirit only know peace
May your heart only know love
May all your dreams come true
May your life’s journey be filled with happiness
And life is all that you wish for it to be….
(Larry “Dutch” Woller)
March 28, 2021 at 9:36 pm
Dealing more effectively with bullies is possible. I hope people reach out when they need help. Wishing you peace and happiness, Larry.
March 30, 2021 at 1:40 am
I have not seen Forest Gump, but thank you for the push in the right direction – I’ll be looking it out!
Your 5 Ds are a very wise list.
March 30, 2021 at 9:43 pm
I’m glad you like the 5 Ds and hope you enjoy Forest Gump. It’s a little odd, but mostly lighthearted.
Pingback: SoCS: Forest Gump, Bullies, and a Happy Animal Video | Psalm 46:10 KJV Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
July 3, 2021 at 4:41 pm
Thanks for sharing!