When people pick on others it is usually a sign of their own insecurity. Truly strong and confident people don't need to put others down to make themselves feel big. No matter how together a person may seem on the outside, if they get joy out of picking on another person, they are nothing more than a good actor. Inside, a person who takes pleasure causing others pain, is a very sad and insecure individual. If making others feel like they are less than you is the only way that you feel worthwhile, you should get help.

The kids who pick on other kids often live under the incorrect assumption that they have something to gain from their cruelty. More often than not, there is nothing to gain. Friends who are impressed by the harassing behavior of a peer are not true friends, and people who demand that you be mean in order to be part of their group aren't worth knowing. You may not care now, but there will come a day when you are able to see how senseless bullying and picking on others is -- and on that day it will be YOU who will feel bad!

So why not avoid those future regrets by doing the right thing now? Instead of picking on a kid who is different or unliked by your peers, give one of the activities on our list a try. You won't ever be sorry that you did!

1. Study for your SATs or PSATs with the smart-but-quiet kid from your class -- study in the school library then go out for pizza afterwards and get to know what that person is really like.
2. Smile at everyone you make eye contact with -- even the kids that have been labeled "losers."
3. Next time you hear a stupid or cruel rumor, roll your eyes and say something like, "This sort of stuff gets more boring everytime I hear it, there has got to be something better to talk about!"
4. Go play a game; organize a noon hour game of co-ed touch football and make sure that it is clear ANYONE is welcome to play.
5. Join a volunteer organization and convince your friends to go along; try working at a soup kitchen, crisis center or food bank so that you can get some perspective about what really matters in a human being.
6. Go environmental; make your school obey the three R's of recycling and get all the kids in your school to pitch in.
7. Do your homework well before it is due; organize study clubs and put people who don't normally hang out together in the various groups.
8. If you hear about something that is really out of hand, or see it happening, go to an adult who can intervene and help.
9. NEVER spread any gossip about ANYONE!