Kind words cost nothing. Harsh words can build deep debt.

I don’t recall if these were the exact words I heard, and I can’t remember who spoke them months ago, but they have echoed in my mind.

I’m confident kind words involve a cost but of the best things—humility, empathy, compassion. Kind words aren’t surface level. They don’t fit into the same category we might place nice words, which can be conveyed with bravado or inauthenticity, or proper words, which can be spoken with more of an obligation than sincerity. No. Kind words are rooted in, not surprisingly, kindness—a character trait that is deeply rooted. It’s a trait I’ve seen even in rough-around-the-edges and guarded-with-gruffness people.

Harsh words can be spoken in a difficult moment. They can also be rooted in a character of harshness, which usually involves hurt, pride, or self-preservation. It’s important to know the motivation. Without reflection, harsh words are justified and become habitual. The debt they deepen becomes a veracious cancer, affecting many areas of our lives.

Why bring this up on the first day of a new year? There’s nothing magical about a new year. But today is important. Today invites an opportunity for you to reflect. Listen to yourself and your interactions. Pay attention to what you justify within yourself, even if you don’t speak a word. What are you saying to and within yourself? When you speak, notice how others experience your words and delivery. Sure, you cannot bend to everyone’s comfort, but it’s important to be aware—important both for your relationships and for your personal growth.

Not only is today important but also tomorrow—and the next day and the next day. Your words matter every day and every moment. So, what are your words incurring—debt or investment?