I exercise when I get up in the morning. I listen to music streaming on my iPad while I exercise. Today, Apple was streaming new music. In one song, there was a line that stuck with me, “Any fool can criticize.” I was in the middle of a set of pushups when the song was playing and heard myself say aloud, “You got that right.” I continued to think about that line. Growing up, I was a playground kid. I’d play ball with whoever showed up. Occasionally, there would be a fight. it got over almost as soon as it started and we went back to playing ball. I don’t think about those things. If they’re in my memory, they’re tucked away in a well-hidden part of the brain. Yet, I can recall words spoken to me that cut me deeper than any carving knife could cut. Words hurt and the pain they inflict remains with us. We can’t take them back once spoken. Sorry, usually doesn’t do much to heal the hurt they caused. I promised myself that I was going to take extra care not to be a critic or to verbally attack another.