I think sometimes we all need a reminder that words can hurt, and we should think before we speak. Even though those phrases are something pounded into our heads at a young age, I think we sometimes forget just how much our words can really have an effect on people. Sometimes we just need to take a second and reflect.

Now I'm not just talking about rude comments from strangers or offensive quotes from celebrities and politicians. I'm mostly talking about hurtful things we say without even realizing it. I'm talking about that sarcastic comment, or that joke, or that thing you said before you had the chance to think about it.

While strangers can certainly offend you, those little jokes and comments can hurt a lot more coming from someone you know or care about.

We often times forget how much just a few words can really make someone feel bad. We don't always know someone's insecurities. One comment can make someone feel bad for longer than you realize.

Last semester, I realized just how much words could really have an effect on me. I was walking to class, when a girl I had met in the beginning of the year approached me for small talk.

"Girl, I haven't seen you in forever!!"

"How are your classes?"

"Do you like your professors this semester?"

Out of the blue, she raised her hand and began rubbing my stomach.

Yes, she actually rubbed my stomach.

Then she looked at me and said, "When did this happen?"

When did this happen?

When did I gain a little weight?

That's what she implied at least.

You see, what that girl didn't know was that I had never felt insecure about my weight before.

I'm not saying I wasn't an insecure person, I just mean that my weight wasn't on my list of insecurities until that point.

Until that point, is the key phrase.

You see, what that girl didn't realize was that her five-second comment created a whirlpool of body image issues.

I didn't feel skinny anymore. I felt awkward in bathing suits. I started feeling insecure about eating in front of others, or eating more than them.

It's a shame that a comment from someone I barely talked to could have such an effect on me, but it happens. Not just to me, but to plenty of other people, and it happens way more than it should.

I once read a quote, that went like this:

"Don't ever point out something about someone's appearance that they can't change within ten seconds."

We shouldn't point out things to people that they can't change right then and there. What good does it do? You'll either create an insecurity or just wind up drawing more attention to an insecurity that's already there.

If you ever have an opinion about someone, just think about it a little bit extra before you decide to share it with them.

A good quote my grandmother told me goes like this, "You are the master of the unspoken word, but once spoken, you are its slave."

It's insane how much power our words carry, and while sometimes it can really cause some damage, it can also be a good thing. Just think, if one hurtful word can cause someone pain, just think about how much kind words can do for someone.

Instead of tearing other people down, we should be working to build them up.

I know that girl didn't mean any malice by her remark, but that didn't make it hurt any less. I also know that I am guilty of letting my sarcasm get the best of me, or of not thinking before I speak. It happens to most of us. But, that doesn't make any of it okay.

Unkind words can't be taken back, or unsaid, but a few kind words can certainly help. You can start by apologizing or making an effort to highlight their best features. You can make it a goal of yours to say ten kind things to people a day. It's the snowball effect. Soon you won't even have to think about it, it will just come naturally...