Love always.

It's a lesson that I believe every person should learn. It's a personal motto. It's understanding, acceptance and unconditional love.

During my freshman year of college, I was taking an oral communications class, which is the worst, by the way. I hate speaking in front of people. We were asked to tell the class a personal motto that we lived by and say a little bit about it. This was mine — love always.

It means so much more than just loving somebody. When I say that I live by this, or at least try to, I mean that it drives a lot of my decisions and is constantly on my mind, and if that wasn't enough, it's tattooed on my body as a reminder. Like I said, it's important to me.

I think that we should all show each other love and respect, regardless of what we may think of another person. When you get in a huge fight with your parents because they just can't understand your side of things, you should never forget to love them. Never shut them out. Through love, you will find forgiveness, understanding and acceptance. When your best friend hates you, and you, in turn, hate her, you should show kindness. Rather than saying that really mean thing that you want to say, love them instead. When you two aren't best friends anymore because life happens, and you're just too far away, continue to love her. When your boyfriend does something stupid, and you want to scream and yell and break up, remind him how much you love him. Remind yourself. When you see that girl in class that you think is lazy because she is always sleeping and never does her homework, remember that she's a human being too and you have no idea who she is or how her life is. Choose love. Offer some help. Be kind.

At the end of the day, showing love to everyone around you has a positive effect on everyone, including you. People can see it, and they can feel it too. You'll be a much happier person because of it. You'll improve somebody's day. You never know when a simple act of love and kindness will turn someone else's day around, or when it will save someone's life.

Next time you're feeling down, or mad, or upset, or angry, remember that someone loves you, remember that you can love yourself, and remember that someone needs your love too.

Love yourself, love your neighbors, love your enemies.

Love always.