Words have the power to destroy.

They can be the knife that slices,

the gun that shatters,

the club that smashes.

With alarming ease, hurtful words can stream out of our mouths as unrestricted as a flood-swollen river crashing through a dam. And just as everything in the way of a raging river is laid to waste, those stricken by our verbal onslaught can end up dazed, wondering what just happened. Having spoken harsh words, we may find the courage to apologize. If we are fortunate, the other person will forgive us. While forgiveness lets us off the hook temporarily, we may still have to endure future karmic consequences. But worse, we will have broken the fundamental precept of “Do no harm.” Instead of giving fearlessness, we will have given fear. All because we have, yet again, given in to impatience and intolerance. This cannot continue. We need to slow down, realize the harm we are doing, and develop patience. We need “Amituofo.”