All of us have experienced the comfort and soothing effect of kind and gentle words (Proverbs 25:11). Our teachers, parents, coaches and friends have helped us from time to time. Remembering those pleasant moments is a key to developing the ability to pass on wholesome and encouraging words to others. "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life," says Proverbs 15:4.

You can be that tongue—all of us can choose to think about the words we say and how they affect others. The most marvelous thing is that this ability to choose is a great benefit for us too. The benefits that we give to others come back to us many times over.