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'd 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's important ...
It's what they do about it.
I've learned ...
That you can do something in an instant ...
That will give you heartache for life.
I've learned ...
That no matter how thin you slice it ...
There are always two sides.
I've learned ...
That it's 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
A relationship is at first ...
The passion fades and there had better
Be something else to take its place.
I've learned ...
That heroes are the people
Who do what has to be done
When it needs to be done ...
Regardless of the consequences.
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're down ...
Will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned ...
That sometimes when I'm angry
I 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 true love.
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 unlikely or outlandish.
Few things are more humiliating, and
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 take care of you
And love you and teach you to trust people again.
Families aren't always biological.
I've learned ...
That no matter how good a friend is,
They're going to hurt you every once in a while ...
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 bad your heart is broken ...
The world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned ...
That our background and circumstances
May have influenced who we are ...
But we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned ...
That just because two people argue,
It doesn't mean they don't love each other ...
And just because they don't argue,
It doesn't mean they do.
I've learned ...
That sometimes you have to put
The individual ahead of their actions.
I've learned ...
That we don't have to change friends ...
If we understand that friends change.
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 no matter how you try to protect your children,
They will still eventually get hurt ...
And you will hurt in the process.
I've learned ...
That no matter the consequences,
Those who are honest with themselves ...
Get farther in life.
I've learned ...
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours
By people who don't even know you.
I've learned ...
That even when you think you have no more to give,
When a friend cries out to you ...
You will find the strength to help.
I've learned ...
That writing, as well as talking ...
Can ease emotional pains.
I've learned ...
That credentials on the wall ...
Do not make you a decent human being.
I've learned ...
That the people you care most about in life ...
Are taken from you all to soon.
I've learned ...
That it's hard to determine where to draw the line
between being nice and not hurting people's feelings ...
And standing up for what you believe.
