We've Learned

I've read this before, but it was all theoretical to me then. Now, i truly believe that this was written by someone who knew what he/she was talking about. :)

We learn from our experiences and from others -- we don't need to experience everything for ourselves to learn from them. Sometimes, others make mistakes so that we don't repeat them, so here's some really amazing life lessons. :)

Thanks to an amazingly deep (and constantly hungry) friend, Paolo Nevado, for the link to Paulo Coelho's blog.

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 you can get by on charm, for about fifteen minutes. 

     After that, you’d better know something;
I’ve learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I’ve learned that no matter how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, 

     the passion fades and there had better be something else to take it’s place.
I’ve learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re downhill 

     are the ones to help you get back up.
I’ve learned that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry.
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 that they don’t love you with all they have.
I’ve learned that maturity had 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 your family won’t always be there for you.
I’ve learned that no matter how good a friend is, 

     they’re going to hurt you every once in a while.
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 we don’t have to change friends 

     if we understand that friends change.
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 get 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 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 apologize for the lack of original posts. Life is getting in the way of my internet life. :)

XOXO,

Joanie