Think, don't shout.

You'll be glad that you did

Undeniably, we live in a "now" -based society. We're encouraged to do things before fully considering their consequences. Apparently, the same holds true for our speech. We seem to have a collective inability to keep our lips zipped when we're angry.

When something or someone upsets us, many of us don't hesitate to say the first words that come to our minds--no matter how mean-spirited, hurtful or just plain wrong they may be. Unfortunately, this means that just about anyone can be the target of a good tongue-lashing.

Some people claim that venting at others is good because it helps a person deal with situations as they happen. However, most of us find ourselves pleading and begging for forgiveness soon after our mouths get the better of us; proof that angrily running off at the mouth can't really be as positive as some would have us believe.

Lashing out verbally is just as harmful to you and others as doing so with your fists. Indeed, words can sometimes hurt even more. So, the next time you feel your blood boil and your mouth opens--put a lid on it. Give serious thought to what you really want to say. Remember, once the words are out, you can't take them back.