Our words carry huge weight. They may influence other people for years, and even for a lifetime. They provide them with courage to go on or one more reason to give up. 

When I was fourteen, my family moved to another city. Junior high was always difficult for me, and the move made my ninth-grade year even harder. I remember walking into the dining hall for the first time. The other kids had good friends with them, but I didn't know anyone. I felt lonely and went to the nearest seat after getting some food. The kids beside me looked at me up and down and then laughed. I could feel my face turning red at that moment. 

Then one of the kids broke the ice, "Man! You have one BIG nose!" I felt hurt and didn't know what to say. I wanted to cry. But I managed a little smile-as if it didn't hurt me at all. But it did. From then on, I would often look at myself in the mirror. I studied the big nose closely. It seemed that I was just living for my nose. Thankfully, I got away from this influence finally. But it really took me twenty years.

There is another thing that is kept deep in my mind. I remember going through a terrible business failure. I lost everything. I called my dad for help and he told me a lot about how to deal with the failure. What he said gave me a lot of courage and confidence to go on with my business.