I write this as a 39 year old man who certainly faced his share of bullying as the dorky, brainy, scrawny kid in school who preferred to play jump rope with the girls than football with the boys.

Today I live a very happy life but what fills me with sadness when I look back now are two occasions that I teased other kids in order to fit in with the cool kids and avoid being teased myself. Dan and Keanan, I am very sorry and to this day I regret choosing fear over kindness.

For any kids reading this now, I share this because everybody says not to bully because of the dangerous effects it has on the kids being bullied. While this is very true, I want to share my experience with you because you should know that the mean things you do now may very well haunt you many years later. You can avoid years of guilt and regret with the decisions you make today.

Always be a little bit kinder than necessary, and you can’t go wrong.