What I have 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 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 taking 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 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 back up.

I've learned -
that sometimes when I'm angry I've 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 it, 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 enough to be forgiven by others. you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned -  
that the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned -
that when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned -
that just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned -
that I feel better about myself when I make others feel better about themselves.

I've learned -
that having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned -
that what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.

I've learned -
that one sincere apology is worth more than all the roses money can buy.

I've learned -
that words harshly spoken are as difficult to retrieve as feathers in a gale.

I've learned -
that being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned -
that you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned -
that I can always pray for someone when I do not have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned -
that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned -
that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned -
that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned -
that we should be glad God does not give us everything we ask for.

I've learned -
that money doesn't buy class.

I've learned -
that it is those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned -
that once a relationship is over, if you experienced more smiles than tears, then it wasn't a waste of time.

I've learned -
that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned -
never to humiliate another person. Always give him an honorable way to back down or out of something and still save face.

I've learned -
that the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned -
that if you are still talking about what you did yesterday, you have not done much today.

I've learned -
that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned -
that you view other people's children in a whole different light when you have some of your own.

I've learned -
that the older I get, the smarter my parents become.

I've learned -
that when your wife simply answers, "nothing" when you ask her what is wrong, you are in deep trouble.

I've learned -
that love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned -
that the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned -
that I always think of the right thing to say when it is too late. 

I've learned -
that the fire of a past love will always burn with a small flame.

I've learned -
that no matter what their ages or how far away they may be, you never stop wanting to keep a protective arm around your children.

I've learned -
that when you want a garment to shrink, it will not, and when you do not, it will come out of the dryer and fit your cat!

I've learned -
that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned -
that there is nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.

I've learned -
that men would rather be lost for hours than stop and ask for directions. 

I've learned -
that no one is perfect until you fall in love with them. 

I've learned -
that life is tough, but I am tougher.

I've learned -
that opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned -
that there is nothing better than my dog waiting for me on the front porch, wagging his tail when I get home.

I've learned -
that when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned -
that one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them. 

I've learned -
that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned -
that I cannot choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned -
that a peacock today may be a feather duster tomorrow.

I've learned -
that nobody wants to know what you are doing until you are doing something that you do not want anyone to know.

I've learned -
that when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned -
that those who reach their goals too easily have aimed too low.

I've learned -
that it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life-threatening situation.

I've learned -
that a good friend is the one who tells you how you really look in your jeans.

I've learned -
that the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.