"This hamster shaped my approach to mindful communication for life."

"Lord, let my words be sweet and tender for tomorrow I may have to eat them."

These words were emblazoned on an A3-sized photograph of a hamster that hung in my childhood bedroom. I read those words every time I walked into my room for years. I can still picture the little black, white and ginger rodent staring out at me, chomping on that sweet juicy grass.

While an unusual choice of artwork, I am certain the frequent exposure to those words fundamentally shaped the way I have approached communication (and my inclination to chew grass as a kid).

The Buddhist eightfold path focuses on right speech as a fundamental skill to end suffering on the path to enlightenment. Similarly, there are numerous proverbs in the Judeo-Christian tradition reflecting on the significant power of speech.

The power to tear others down, or lift them up. The power to divide, or the power to unite. The power to perpetuate lies, or the power to amplify truth. The power to destroy and the power to create.

Our words reflect our personal, internal 'recreation' of the world of experience around us. When we are grounded in a sense of calm safety, our words reflect this. When we are caught in anger or fear, our words can reflect this also.

The moment between emotion and speech is the opportunity to reflect, regulate and speak loving kindness into being. As we practice mindfulness of speech, we gradually improve our capacity to notice impulses to use hurtful speech.

We slow down. We breathe. We regulate our emotions.

And this allows us to speak from the heart.

This week, may our words be sweet and tender. For tomorrow we may have to eat them.