Tame That Tongue!

* Close to fifty percent of the bacteria in the mouth lives on the surface of our tongue.
* There are approximately 9,000 taste buds on the tongue.
* Your tongue has 3,000 taste buds.
* 85% of the population can curl their tongue into a tube.
* We have four basic tastes. The salt and sweet taste buds are at the tip of the tongue, bitter at the base, and sour along the sides.
* Not all our taste buds are on our tongue; about 10% are on the palette and the cheeks.
* Every person has a unique tongue print.

Source

There was a little boy, ten or twelve who was told by his mother to look for his daddy who was out in the neighborhood with his friends. Naturally the little boy asked neighbors if they saw his dad.

One crazy neighbor meanly joked, "I saw him on a large box. He was in a suit, lying down, peacefully." Of course the kid was furious.

In fact he was furious enough to curse him, "you will die soon."

After a week, some thief stabbed that man to death.

That little boy was no other than me.

I can still remember how mad I was that day, and I still vividly recall how I said to myself, "Heh, serves him right." But now, I do think that it is a very awful thing to say on my part. Of course I can excuse myself for I was a stupid kid by that time but it still reminds me every time to be more careful with my words.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue-a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Negative Language by creationhrt
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"Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are endless."

Among a man's many good possessions, A good command of speech has no equal. Prosperity and ruin issue from the power of the tongue. Therefore, guard yourself against thoughtless speech.

Tirukkural 65: 641-642

"Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care, for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or evil."
-Buddha

Winners Affirmations by DorkaReyes
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Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Now that I am more careful with my words, I can use it to bless people.

To you, my friend, thanks for reading my article. The whole universe is conspiring to shower you with blessings!

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To the Squidoo community, thank you for this honor.