Folks my age, perhaps slightly older or younger, will surely remember the adage we chanted when things went awry. Parents suggested it to their children so that they’d learn how to put things into perspective. The adage went like this: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
I used it many times, as a mantra, when I was mercilessly teased about being overweight or enviously taunted about my studiousness. It was a lot like whistling a happy tune so no one would suspect I was afraid.