Our tongue is like a double-edged sword...

Our tongue is like a double-edged sword. It can edify and motivate; but it can also destroy and kill someone.

I know of a very passionate, dedicated and professional teacher who was so well-loved by his pupils. But, in his younger days, he was someone with low self-esteem and no self-confidence until one day something happened in the camp when he was serving his National Service. In that incident, his officer told him, ''I believe you!''. These three words magically changed his life. Since then, he became so confident that he even furthered his studies overseas.

On the contrary, there are strong words that some teachers or parents say to the children, that literally shatter their confidence and kill their self-esteem.

Let's learn to be kinder with our words, say more edifying and encouraging words to people around us. It is very encouraging to encourage those who need more courage.