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.
OI’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 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 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 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 sometimes when my friends fight,
I’m forced to choose sides
even when I don’t want to.
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 eventually get hurt
and you will hurt in the process.
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 too soon.
I’ve learned –
that although the word “love”
can have many different meanings,
it loses value when overly used.
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.
Janice T Hill of Kansas City Mo.
I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
Give it some thought.
Gary