I've Learned

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.

I've learned -
that you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.

I've learned -
that it's taken me a long time
to become the person I want to be.

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 money is a lousy way of keeping score.

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 just because someone doesn't love
you the way you want them to 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 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 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 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 two people can look at the exact same
thing and see something totally different.

I've learned -
that we don't have to change friends
if we understand that friends change.


Addendum -- John 15:12 (NKJ)
"This is My commandment, that you
love one another as I have loved you."

[ Author unknown -- from Cheryl ]