Yesterday some words made me think that, contrary to perception, "words aren't cheap," (even though many people are fond of saying they are).

What you say and, even more importantly, what you write, matters.

Not because people record every word you say, or put it on YouTube all the time, but because of a more powerful reason: the consequence your words may have on your fellow human beings, be it your family, your friends, or the audience you writing for — if you happen to be part of the privileged class of people who can make your living as a wordsmith. (Some of us are not that lucky!)

But think further, well beyond the Latin American song so popular on St. Valentine's day that gives its title to this column's headline. Is it true that "Palabras, tan solo palabras hay entre los dos?")

(Words, just words, is ALL that exist between us?)

Is it true that words, in other words, don't matter?

Are there no more than inconsequential words dropping,  with little sincere action in between, that can mean a lot of insincerity and lack of real commitment?

It can be so in your personal life, but also in your social, business and each unpredictable political relationship.

Words, words, DO matter, as my new friend Dan told me last Sunday.

Words are like stones, that you either use to build or to stone someone, the way Mary Magdalene was going to be stoned, until someone drew the line on the sand, and the dust dissipated and settled in a matter of seconds.

That little organ, our tongue, our friend told us, is the rudder of the ship, and can propel  it forward, or make it spin and capsize faster.

The very thing thing that is there to make the trip pleasant, becomes a nighmare for the travelers, just because the captain of the ship falls asleep at the wheel…

Words, as the Biblical Book of James says, can be poisonous. Or, on the contrary, purifying.

Destructive  or redemptive — your choice.

"If we control our tongue, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way." (James, 3; 2).

Under control, directed with more "velocity" than "speed," words can go a long way in a positive direction.

Be a blessing, be a light, be an encouragement, or perhaps an inspiration.

Don't we all need that?

Who is giving it to us?

My advice: turn off the TV in the morning. Also, join the "6 a.m. morning club" (read for 15-20 minutes). Stretching? For those over 50, it can be done on a chair, while you chew on a passage from "El Quijote" or "The Old Man and The Sea."

Words heal, words inspire, words can be the blessing all of us are longing for, perhaps just to start the day on the right footing, after the all at grinding and broken bones of the previous day.

Let's draw from the same spring of fresh water. Whether in English or in Spanish, it is just the same.

"Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh and bitter water? (...)No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring." (James, 3:11)

We all need that fresh water —always — don't we?