Ready? OK? Change the playing field to make it fair.

It is not ok for people to say things to us just to hurt us. But they do. And when this happens, often we are caught so off guard that the pain is written all over our face before we can hide it. The ultimate reward for a natural born "meanie" is to watch their prey fall apart, right before their eyes and for all the world to see. They will play with our emotions without evening considering the consequences, like life is a full contact sport. They give no mercy, weak is what they expect you to be. They take no prisoners, even though we feel helpless against them. And they have no shame.
I say, play the game by your own rules. It really is that simple. Nothing they say can ever cut you, their words will never make you bleed but only you can make the change. You have to tell yourself that you are Ok. And if they say that you are stupid, just say, Ok. It might sting a little. If they tell you that you are ugly, just say, Ok. Each time it gets easier. OK. OK. OK. And when they get angry because you're not acting weak, because they can't remember ever seeing you so NOT afraid, that's when you tell them to do their worst. Tell them to not hold back, to say whatever it is they need to say, if it will make them feel better. But the sticks and stones they use to throw can't break you like they use to, you are stronger than they are angry, their own shame has made them feel this way. In time you will be able to fully embrace the idea of living everyday in a state of "OK". A place where you can live by your own rules and where everyone is a winner if they want to be. Game, set, match.