When you are consumed by the harshness of life, and sit their thinking of how life has treated you unfair, a hand on your shoulder or a warm word can be enough to discover the long forgotten hope in you.

A word, an action or a gesture are never to be underestimated because these are powerful tools that can yield powerful results. These tools or abilities that we all possess are to be used with the utmost care and intelligence, it is a responsibility that we haul throughout our lives.

While that warm hand on one’s shoulder or the sweet remark by a random stranger can be uplifting or even life altering, an unanticipated word carrying hatred and malice can do something worse, intended to or not, it can shatter whatever the person had been trying to generate - self worthiness, self understanding, happiness, trust or maybe just a smile.

Communication has been distinct to us humans, which has been used to build bridges between us where we convey what is to be conveyed and receive what is to be received. It leaves no room for vagueness or confusion, misunderstanding or misjudgment.

Probably the most creative with words, Maya Angelou, captures this very significance of communication in her book, “Why the caged bird sings”, when she heeds to the wisdom of Mrs. Flowers, as she says, “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning.”

When a considerable amount of gravity has been allotted to the usage of words, it is recognizable that we choose and use our words in a manner that yields only kindness. When words are not chosen wisely and rather chosen to inflict pain upon others, the power is misused, it is squandered. Sometimes, it is unavoidable, sometimes not intended, and sometimes not even realized but the ramification left behind is irreversible and damaging.

The way of communication can, although not completely, define one as a good or bad person and for harmony to prevail in our world, it is better to make the right choice.

Unfortunately, now when the world calls for everyone to be hard on each other in order to survive, harsh communication is made use of even when it is not needed, it has become part of our behaviors that we leave unnoticed. Yes, at times, to protect ourselves we are forced to indulge in conversations that cause discomfort to many, but it can soon turn into norm if used more than necessary.

The words we choose to use, are double edged swords, with the power to both create and destroy. When anger sweeps in, we slip and let loose of our reigns, words flow out of us without consent and before we know it, someone is already maimed. However, we can take control of the reigns and guide our tongues in the right direction, the intended direction. Life is not plentiful to let ourselves hurt the ones around us, instead they are to be cherished because once we cause harm, the wound although with time forgotten, stays forever and so does the memory.