LIFE'S LESSONS
I've learned -
That you cannot make someone love you.
All you can do is be someone who can be loved.
The rest is up to them.
I've learned -
That no matter how much I care,
some people just don't care back.
I've learned -
That it takes years to build up trust,
and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned -
That it's not WHAT you have in your life
But WHO you have in your life that counts.
I've learned -
That you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes.
After that, you had better know something.
I've learned -
That you shouldn't compare yourself to the best OTHERS can do,
But to the best YOU can do.
I've learned -
That it's not what happens to people that is important.
It's what they do about it that matters.
I've learned -
That you can do something in an instant
That will give you heartache for the rest of your life.
I've learned -
That no matter how thin you slice it,
There are always two sides.
I've learned -
That it is taking me a LONG time
To become the person I want to be.
I've learned -
That it's a lot easier to react
Than it is to think.
I've learned -
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned -
That you can keep going
Long after you think you can't.
I've learned -
That we are responsible for what we do
No matter how we feel.
I've learned -
That either you control your attitude
Or it controls you.
I've learned -
That regardless of how hot and steamy the relationship is at first,
The passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I've learned -
That heros are people who do what needs to be done
When it needs to be done,
Regardless of the consequenses.
I've learned -
That learning to forgive takes practice.
I've learned -
That there are people who love you dearly,
But just don't know how to show it.
I've learned -
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned -
That my best friend and I can do anything
Or nothing and have the best time.
I've learned -
That sometimes the people you expect
To kick you when you are down
Will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned -
That sometimes I may have the right to be angry
But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned -
That true friendship continues to grow
Even over the longest distance.
Same goes for love.
I've learned -
That just because someone doesn't love you
The way you want to be loved,
It doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I've learned -
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had
And what you've learned from them
And less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I've learned -
That you should never tell a child their dreams are impossible.
What a tragedy it would be if they believed it.
I've learned -
That your family won't always be there for you.
It may seem funny, but people you aren't related to can love you and take care of you
And teach you to trust people again.
Families aren't biological.
I've learned -
That no matter how good a friend is,
They're going to hurt you every once in awhile.
And you must forgive them for that.
I've learned -
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned -
That no matter how much your heart is broken
The world does not stop for your grief.
I've learned -
That just because two people argue
Doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because the don't argue
Doesn't mean they do.
I've learned -
That sometimes you have to put the individual
Ahead of their actions.
I've learned -
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret.
It could change your life forever.
I've learned -
That two people can look at the exact same thing
And see something totally different.
I've learned -
That there are many ways of falling and staying in love.
I've learned -
That no matter the consequences,
Those who are honest with themselves
Get further in life.
I've learned -
That writing - as well as talking -
Can ease emotional pains.
I've learned -
That no matter how you try to protect your children,
They will eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process.
I've learned -
That your life can be changed in a matter of moments
By people who don't even know you.
I've learned -
That credentials on a wall
Do not make you a decent human being.
I've learned -
That the people you care about most in life
Are taken from you too soon.
I've learned -
That our background and circumstances
May have influenced who we are,
But we are responsible for who we become.