Today, I will be going into something different, but necessary.....for those of you who are still forced to make a living in the 9 to 5 world and have to put up with corporate and social injustices and bullies. Before I start, let me share these words I found when I was researching my subject for today, and I quote:


~Nobody’s Friend~

My name is Gossip.

I have no respect for justice.

I maim without killing.

I break hearts and ruin lives.

I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.

The more I am quoted the more I am believed.

My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.

To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become.

I am nobody’s friend.

Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.

I topple governments and wreck marriages.

I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion. I make innocent people cry in their pillows.

Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip.

I make headlines and headaches.

Before you repeat a story, ask yourself:

Is it true?
Is it harmless?
Is it necessary?
If it isn’t, don’t repeat it.

~ Author Unknown



Unfortunately, there are people who use gossip as a political tool to gain power and control in an organization. Don't be fooled. You might be surprised at who they are. Those threatened by others successes turn to this conspiracy tactic as a means to gain personal power. Their strategy is to isolate a targeted individual, play one person against another and hopefully turn employees and/or managers against them. Gossips do not work alone. It is not possible for them to successfully spread their venom unless they have listeners. If those who listen participate, they too become players in a very malicious undertaking. No one should be subjected to vindictive, malicious rumours, so if you are the recipient of such gossip, make sure it doesn’t go any further than you. You are the one that can very effectively put an end to it, by refusing to listen to it.....and if you do have knowledge of such malicious information, do not be the vehicle to carry it.
Gossip often crosses the “acceptable” line and morphs into something that can really hurt someone emotionally or practically (such as putting their job in jeopardy): saying something hurtful, spreading a negative rumor or saying something to be malicious, spiteful or vengeful and it can become a form of social bullying.

Those responsible for starting this should be aware that they are dealing in lies (which includes stretching of the truth or inferring what they perceive to be true), and that such antics illustrate their utter moral bankruptcy, and the contemptible state of their imaginations. While they may move forward they need to know that in behaving in this despicable manner, they will ever only be surrounded by their own kind, as it takes more than one person to gossip....one to spew and one to listen intently, excited with the concept of spreading the poison further. They will continue to falsely befriend innocents, build a false trust with them and when it becomes convenient, they will turn on that person like they have done countless times in the past.

If you find that you are the target of malicious gossip such as the situations listed above, the following tips can help stop the gossip and protect your emotional health.

1. Approach the gossip. This should be done in a non-confrontational, but forthright, way. If you are certain the person has said something spiteful about you, you could say, “I found that comment to be offensive and would appreciate if you would refrain from this type of behavior in the future.”

Meanwhile, if you are not certain, but you suspect, the person has said a mean-spirited thing about you, you could say, “I have heard you saying some negative things about people in the office [or elsewhere] that I know are untrue. These comments are offensive and I’d appreciate you not spreading them around in the future.”

2. Seek help from a superior. Depending on the situation, there may be someone to whom you can report the gossip’s behavior. In an office, this would be a manager or human resources official. In a school setting, a teacher, principal, counselor or social worker. In an extreme public situation, a slander lawsuit is also an option.

3. Get it out in the open. If the gossip still persists, you can fight back by letting those in your social circle know that this particular person is saying untrue things about you. Once the group knows that someone is a malicious gossiper, they’re more likely to ignore what he or she says, and restrict their own dealings with the person as well.

4. Protect your emotions. Fortify yourself emotionally so that you feel confident, positive and at ease with yourself -- even in the face of malicious gossip. This is achieved by tapping into your natural ability to let go of any negative thought or feeling in the moment, including any insecurities, anger or resentments that may have popped up due to malicious gossip.

5. Don’t participate in malicious gossip yourself. You may be tempted to start a negative rumor of your own in retaliation against the gossiper. You should resist this temptation as you will be surrounding yourself in negative emotions (the same ones you are working on letting go) and your relationships may suffer if your friends, colleagues and loved ones fear you may start gossiping maliciously about them too!

Take heart, those of you who have experienced such nastiness first-hand.....with all the hard work you have been putting in on your online promotions, very soon your online ventures will be your sole means of support. You will be able to leave the maliciousness behind and move far ahead of them.

Blessing to all on the team who have been using their energies for good, for the success of the team. It makes the 9 to 5 world a bit more bearable for many.

(N.B...For those of you who believe in a higher power, you know that those who spread malicious gossip will eventually have to answer for their actions before the supreme judge......and he does not accept excuses for their maliciousness.

Do not go about spreading slander among your people" (Lev. 19:16). "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless" (Jas. 1:26). "Men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt. 12:36, 37). Gossip can be a cruel weapon, one that is turned on friends and enemies alike. It is completely against God’s standard of preserving unity and lifting one another up. It serves no purpose but a selfish one—there is no good result from gossip.)