I’d rather relish poetry at an open mic in the Valley than get drinks at a trendy bar;
I’d rather dance salsa y bachata in East LA than bump bodies in a downtown club;
I’d rather support mom & pop shops than sport a flashy label;
I’d rather make you a gift than purchase it;
I’d rather play a game than watch one;
I’d rather skip through a wild meadow than be given a bouquet of flowers;
I’d rather work up a sweat doing physical labor than pay for a gym membership;
I’d rather have a front porch than a back porch;
I’d rather stand among a few with integrity than among the masses with no vision;
I’d rather get lost in some enchanted village than keep to the tourist routes;
I’d rather run out and dance in the rain than stay indoors;
I’d rather go for an extra bike ride than turn down something delicious;
I’d rather get my hands dirty than keep a fine manicure;
I’d rather make it from scratch than buy it;
I’d rather look at local graffiti art than pay for a museum pass;
I’d rather be alone than in a broken relationship;
I’d rather meander down a forgotten path than take the paved highway;
I’d rather watch fresh artists beatbox and spit rhymes on an open mic than shell out dollars for sell-outs on iTunes;
I’d rather laugh at myself than pretend I’ve got it all together;
I’d rather share whatever I have to give than keep it for myself;
I’d rather roam around Home Depot than go to a mall;
I’d rather lay out under the stars and aurora borealis than watch TV;
I’d rather be wealthy in love, passion, community, dreams, and hope than be rich in material possessions.