We have all heard and probably recited the nursery rhyme "sticks and stones may break my bones…" You know the rest: "But words can never hurt me."

If only it were true. The fact is that words do hurt. Unlike a bruise or broken bone, we can’t see the wound on the outside. Most of us can recall instances from our own lives when words cut deeply, causing wounds that may still hurt.

Since these wounds are not visible to others, we go through life exhibiting behaviors that come from how we deal with these old hurts. If we try to bury the wound rather than learn from it, we not only prevent healing, but we are likely to inflict pain on others.