While a culture may be defined by the customs and accepted practices of its people, it is critical to understand that it is the thinking of its people that creates a culture in the first place.

A culture is chosen by its people, either by deliberate decisions or acquiescence to how everyone feels at the time. The culture you live in today is the culture you have allowed. That is true of your family, and it is true of your country.

Light always trumps darkness. It always has, and it always will. Therefore... if you believe that your world is darkening...if you believe that the culture of your nation is growing dimmer by the year...don't blame it on the dark! Darkness is only doing what darkness does."If darkness is winning the battles, my friend, it is because light is not doing it's job. You are light. So wake up. Wake up.

The bottom line on the declaration, 'This is part of our culture,' is this: At its best, this is a choice made with little or no critical thinking about future results. At its worst, it is merely an excuse to do what one wants to do. It is selfish, leaderless, pack behavior with unconsidered consequences that ultimately destroy families, neighborhoods, cities, and before you know it, generations.

The culture you live in today is the culture you have allowed. That is true of your family, and it is true of your country."Never forget that you will shape the culture in which you exist, or the culture you allow will determine how and - maybe someday - if you are allowed to exist.