Something has been bothering me lately, and I feel that I need to vent.

As we get older, I feel that it's so important to surround ourselves with people that truly love us, and want the best for us. I just don't have the time or energy for fake relationships, gossip, and time wasted with small talk to people that are only looking for something to gossip about later. The good news is that it really makes me appreciate the people that I DO have in my life that I can rely on, lean on, trust and know that they always have my best interest in mind. Lately, I'm just seeing things so much more clearly. There is no grey area, there is only black and white. I know now what I want in my life, and what I love. For me, exercise classes with my baby (i.e strollersize) are a way to bond with my baby, set a good example for her to be active in your life. I am there for a good workout, and to support everyone else who has chosen the class and wants the same result. I choose the social events in my calendar based on experiences for either my baby, or me, or both. I feel that my Mom group is a great place to trade ideas, learn new tricks, allow my baby to play with others and learn to share etc. So why is it bothering me so much when I hear others gossiping and being fake etc? Why can't I just walk away? For some reason I feel the need to correct the behavior. I want to say something, or reach out to the one that is being targeted. But how? How do I get the courage to say it, and have it come out elequently, like something Maya Angelou would say, and you just respect her for saying it. I feel as though if I opened my mouth I would just become the next target, which I don't care that much about..but I know how far the ripples will spread in a small town. So what to do, what to do?...

Carl Gustav Jung once said 'Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.' So I guess what I should take from this, is to learn not to judge, as I am not perfect either. And also to lead the life I want, be happy for myself and others, and yes, maybe it wouldn't hurt to reach out to the one that is being targeted..afterall nobody wants to be bullied, especially in their 30's!