No one can make you feel inferior without your permission. These words of wisdom were spoken to me just before a rather intensive interview for a position within my University. After struggling with insecurities regarding who I am, and constantly comparing myself to my peers, a close family friend and author of "The Five Love Languages" Dr. Gary Chapman called me to let me know that internal feelings of inferiority often immerge from within ourselves and are not founded in others. Although it is so easy to blame other for being better, stronger, prettier, and more talented than us, our comparisons are not only shallow but reap extreme repercussions. Without allowing ourselves to believe that negative words, emotions, and external feelings are true, the phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me" becomes more of a reality. My "love language" is "words of affirmation". This means that encouraging words will build me up quickly, but the opposing side of that coin is that they can tear me down in a millisecond. Words can truly cut to the heart when they are from those that you highly respect. If there is truth behind words that hurt, then it is important to reap the benefits of that information to change yourself for the better. If the feelings of inferiority are from words and actions that are nothing more than a quick jab from another person, and they do not hold any truth, then there are no benefits to believe them or paying them any mind. The power of language, communication, and words are beyond simple ink and paper. They can drive civilians to become armies, friends to become enemies, and individuals to become leaders. Speaking or writing before thinking makes words fall flat.