I choose respect over pride-filled disdain, and sincere honor over selfish flattery.

I choose to unearth treasures of goodness instead of crumbling before the weight of widespread evil.

I choose truthfulness over the easiest way out, and faithfulness over convenience without commitment.

I choose to value the beauty within by not reducing a person's worth to the size of a waistline, amount of net worth, or ability to help me achieve my self-centered pursuits.

I choose the joy of making a small difference with someone as opposed to making no difference with anyone.

I choose to hear the laughter of a child as over and against the drones of an adult whose maturity is defined more by his accomplishments than his awareness of life itself.

I choose to spend more time dreaming about my possibilities, refocusing my energies, and realigning my values than I do rehearsing my failures.

I choose to carefully listen as opposed to caring less and revealing it more.

I choose to flourish in the freedom of forgiveness as opposed to remain enslaved by the tyrant of never ending bitterness.

I choose to escort laughter into my world instead of wistfully longing for its arrival at the assault of each untried day.

I choose to exchange blame for responsibility, cruelty for compassion, and the mindset of rigidity for the heartbeat of a caring, understanding individual.

I choose to value the complexity of loving in the messiness of real life instead of relinquishing that privilege on the altar of misguided self preservation.

I choose action as opposed to resignation and involvement instead of isolation.

I choose to cherish relationships more than the counterfeit value of acquiring currency without concern and dollars without devotion.

I choose to love the God I know and serve the God I love.

I choose life.