words to live by: 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 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 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 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 learn 

to forgive yourself.

I've learned 

that no matter how badly 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 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 eventually get hurt

and you will hurt in the process.

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 farther in life.

I've learned 

that no matter how many friends you have,

if you are their pillar you will feel lonely

and lost at the times you need them most.

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 the paradigm we live in 

is not all that is offered to us.

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. 

"I Have Learned"

Kathy Kane Henson

Not too long ago, I found this poem on The Enhance Life and thought it would be perfect to share with Positively Present readers. I hope it left you feeling inspired! "Words To Live By" is a segment on Positively Present that features my favorite quote or lyrics from the week. Every Sunday I post a quote or lyrics that have inspired me with the hope that they'll inspire you too. Comments will be closed on these posts, but feel free to tweet the post if you enjoy it or contact me via Twitter.