Wrong!!!! Words have the power to make somewone feel better about themselves. They can create a spark of hope. They can also destroy a person's self image. Words can create pictures that can be misleading even false.

You may never know when you might have said something, even casually, that makes a positive or negative difference in a person's life. Children are especially susceptive. People write on the slate of who they are everyday with words of praise and/or disapline. They also learn, sometimes even more, from listening and witnessing the examples that they see and hear everyday.

I don't understand why some people have determined it is okay for them to use "bad words" but not others. I have sat through several meetings where ladies have said with pride they are the "B" word and yet are offended when men use it. Society seems to accept black people using the "N" word but not anyone else. Wives say, "I can talk about what's wrong with my husband but no one else can." The same is true about talking badly or critically about children, wives and friends. The person doing the talking seems to think they have permission while others don't.

I know I am naive. I know I have said many things that have not always been positive, that were hurtful and wrong. I know that the emotions of the moment often take over and we lose control. Still we each must remember that words have enormous power. It would be awesome if we could all just be nice!