As we grow from the infant stage, we are able to start
making choices in our lives. The choices we make will
affect the kind of life and experiences we'll endure.
We have power over ourselves to live the kind of life
we imagine will be fulfilling. We choose the clothes we
wear and the food we eat. Love is a choice. Anger is
a choice. Fear is a choice. Courage is a choice. Circum-
stances may enter our lives unexpectedly, but then we must
choose how we respond. Teens may choose to try drugs
and then become addicted and do bad things to get
money to support their addiction. Or experimenting with
sex may result in a couple starting a family way before they
are matured, resulting in frustration and financial problems.
   Other choices may put us in the company of someone who
may help us advance in our field of interest and launch
our lifelong career. There will be those who will spend their
lives arguing for their weaknesses, or complaining about
how their life is boring and useless, or even blaming other
people for their lot in life. The people we surround ourselves
with will either raise or lower our standards. We become
like our friends. Books can also change lives. Choose books
that emit wisdom or those that lead to spiritual vitality,
integrity, direction, and peace. We choose, and in doing so,
we design our lives. Everything is a choice which will echo
throughout our lives and on into eternity. Whether we are
young or old, the rest of our life is ahead of us. We cannot
change one moment of our past, but we can change our whole
future to a fulfilled and happy existence. Now is the time.