We played Scrabble for the first time in years. Crosswords are usually the default word exercise. It was fun, though disheartening to find that it was hard to make good words. I think that my “Z” was on a triple letter score. It was only three letters and garnered over thirty points. It made me think of how our communication would change of we were being scored for the language we use. Our comments would be more constructive. Our compliments would be more personal. Our empty noise, void filling talk would deduct points. Our senses would be more acute, so that we could use our words to comfort and encourage others. We would remember past kindnesses and show with our words and actions that “what have you done for me lately?” doesn’t apply. We would be mindful of the impact of teasing. Sometimes it’s not funny and can be embarrassing and hurtful. Consider a little social research. Over the next week, see if you can raise your level of communication so that you do earn points for kind words.