I am sure you can remember a time when you caused someone pain, either intentionally or unintentionally.  A harsh word spoken without thought can sometimes cause the greatest of upset.  It is hard to think before you speak, to consider the impact of your words on others.  Often it feels as if you speak without even the briefest of thoughts.  Your mouth works in complete harmony with your brain and there is nothing to arrest the words that flow.  Of course, this is not true.  Each of you has the ability to consider your words carefully before you speak them.  Sometimes it may be as simple as not saying anything until a situation has calmed; walking away until you are ready for a reasoned dialogue.  You are human and this is hard for each and every one of you.

There are very few of you who are able to speak with prior thought on a constant basis.  The words of others can cause you to react quickly, especially when you feel an injustice has been said and done, and you feel it important to make your point; maybe get the upper hand.  In reality your lives could be quite balanced and calm.  The ability to respond to situations with calmness and respect is a trait you can nurture and learn, but it is a hard lesson, a very hard lesson indeed.  There are many influencing factors into how you respond to situations, and to learn to control each of them is quite a feat, but it is a feat worth mastering, as not only will you begin to feel calmer within yourself, but you will see others around you enveloped in their own sense of calm.

Life is for living and in living your life you should embrace each day, each situation with a sense of wonder.  Every interaction is important, from the mundane, to the in depth conversation about something important.  You have an impact on those around you in both large and small ways, from the briefest chat in the school playground to the discussions about the state of your relationship.  The way you say things and handle situations can be the make or break of a friendship or deeper relationship.  In short, you are how others see you.  You are the words you use, the smile you project.  No one else can influence your way of being apart from yourself.  You can decide whether to project kindness or anger, happiness or despair.  In moments of weakness the easy answer is to react with a harsh word or stare, but in actuality you will feel better about yourself if you react kindly, with measured words.