Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?

When I was in third grade, I saw something that I really wish I had done something about. It was a normal school day, noisy with kids playing, but off to the side, something not so great was happening. Mark, a classmate, was cornered by some bullies near a quiet side door. They were being really cruel, not just teasing him but actually hitting him on the head and throwing a kickball at his face.

I stood there watching, knowing deep down I could have stopped it. I had enough friends who would have listened if I’d spoken up. But I didn’t step in. I just watched. And honestly, that decision has haunted me for a long time.

Now, 40 years later, I still see Mark from time to time. He’s always by himself, hardly ever talks to anyone, and he looks sad, like he’s lost in his own world. It’s obvious those days from school still hang heavy on him. Whenever I see him, I say hi and try to start a conversation, but he usually heads the other way. I didn’t actually bully him, but I feel just as responsible because I didn’t stop it. Sometimes, I wonder if he knows deep down that I could have done something. I’m not sure.

I think a lot about how things could have been different if I had just stepped up. Maybe Mark would have felt less alone. Maybe he would have been happier. Maybe we could have been friends.

That day taught me something really important—when you see something wrong, you should try to fix it. It’s not just about being brave; it’s about helping out when someone needs it. I wish I had been there for Mark when he needed a friend. I can’t change the past, but I can make sure I never make that mistake again. Sharing this story, I hope it reminds others to step in and help when they see someone in trouble. It really can make all the difference.

—Josh Mullins—

The Gladiator’s Mask: Hiding The Face of Hurt https://a.co/d/1nOkiGr

Fractured Reflections: Stories of Love, Lies, and Liberation https://a.co/d/cb62bK3