Increasingly, Americans are becoming more conscious of their food choices. It is becoming readily apparent to us as a society that you really are what you eat. Yet, as important as it is to watch what goes into your mouth, it's equally important to watch what comes out of your mouth. In fact, it may be even more important.

The old expression is "loose lips sink ships." Well, they sink much more than that. Loose lips sink careers. Loose lips sink business partnerships. Loose lips sink marriages. In short, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong person can ruin your entire life.

Therefore, you must be careful with what you say, particularly when you are angry. As I generally rule, I would recommend that you don't speak at all when you're upset. You will seldom regret what you don't say. However, you will often regret what you do say. Hasty words spoken in the heat of passion can kill a marriage or other partnership. And even if they don't result in the immediate death of the relationship, they often serve as a mortal wound. In that case, it's just a matter of time before the relationship dies.

Therefore, the best course of action is to shut your mouth. Don't say a single word; at least, not yet. Later, when the anger has subsided, you can more constructively address the issue. And, by the way, I mean not a single word to anyone.

Watch Your Mouth (Part II)

You don't do yourself any favors by speaking angry words about someone behind their back. These words have a way of getting back to the person. And even if they don't get back to the person, you've damaged your credibility with the person you've been speaking with. Think about it. If they know that you're willing to complain about someone else to them, then they can be sure that you'll do the same thing to them with someone else. This can be particularly damaging in a career setting.

For example, the person who is always complaining about the boss has almost no chance of being promoted to a new position. Why? Because no one is going to hire someone to work under them if they suspect that this person will bad mouth them the first chance they get. Who needs that kind of aggravation?

Besides, by taking your grievances to another person, you can do irreparable damage to the relationship between that person and the person about whom you are speaking. For instance, let's suppose you have a fight with your spouse and you leave the house to go over to a friend's place to "talk things out." After hearing only one side of the story, your friend will probably side with you. In fact, if they're a really good friend, they may become just as upset with your spouse as you are. Now, let's suppose that when you get home, your spouse has realized the error of their ways and has prepared a nice candlelit dinner for two. You make up and everyone is happy; well, almost everyone. Most likely, your friend is still steaming at your spouse (after all, it wasn't a candlelit dinner for three). And while your friend may eventually come around, there will be a riff between them and your spouse; a riff that wouldn't have been there had you kept your mouth shut.

Remember, what you don't say can't hurt you and what you do say can kill much of the happiness in your dash, so watch your mouth!