You have the power to make your own decisions…even if you are a kid. Your authority within that power may change as you get older and as your responsibilities change. Regardless, you choose based on your motivation. I love a powerful paragraph I ran across again from the historically selfless missionary, Mother Teresa. It reminded me so much of the importance to love in many ways, anyway. She said…
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
~Mother Teresa
Whatever power you have been given, choose to walk in the authority of God in all you do and love, anyway as He has loved you!