The tongue is a vicious animal, whose words are capable of causing ultimate destruction.

The idea of a 'sharp tongue' was always humorous to me as a child. Mental pictures of huge pencil sharpeners shaping one's tongue into a spear would play across my mind. Such weird imagery is reminiscent of cartoons drawn by the late Basil Wolverton.

Probably no other part of the body has been used with such effectiveness both to build and destroy human lives throughout history. The tongue of powerful leaders have stirred nations to seemingly impossible feats or inspired episodes of willing personal sacrifice. An individual's expression of love or pain, even the fewest and simplest words, can reduce entire rooms of people to tears.

Who has not longed to hear a word from one we deeply love? Yet which of us has not also experienced great anger, frustration, irritation or pain from words expressed by the same person? Conversely, who among us is not also responsible for words of love and kindness that encourage and build---as well as for words that have shaken, hurt or even devastated another?

Is it not ironic though, that we most often direct these contrasting words of kindness and cruelty at the same individuals? A wife or a husband, a child, a parent, a brother or sister, or a friend. An old song goes: 'You always hurt the one you love, the one you shouldn't hurt at all.' Words can be the warmest of embraces or the hardest slaps in the face. Unfortunately, we tend to lose it with the people we know will love us anyway. THIS SHOULD NOT BE.