Monday, December 15, 2008

What Have You Learned...?

I HAVE LEARNED that silent company is often more healing than words of advice. Age 24.

I HAVE LEARNED that wherever I go, the world's worst drivers have followed me there. Age 29.

I HAVE 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. Age 32.

I HAVE LEARNED that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back. Age 34.

I HAVE 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. Age 29.

I HAVE 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. Age 37.

I HAVE 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. Age 43.

I HAVE LEARNED that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it. Age 38.

I HAVE LEARNED that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love. Age 45.

I HAVE LEARNED that although the word "love" can have many different meanings, it loses value when overly used. Age 43.

I HAVE 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. Age 56.

I HAVE LEARNED that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself. Age 55.

I HAVE LEARNED that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief. Age 50.

I HAVE LEARNED that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. Age 51.

I HAVE 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. Age 18.

I HAVE LEARNED that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions. Age 22.

I HAVE LEARNED that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change. Age 27.

I HAVE LEARNED that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever. Age 28.

I HAVE LEARNED that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally differently. Age 26.

I HAVE LEARNED that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get farther in life. Age 35.

I HAVE LEARNED that no matter how many friends you have, if you are their pillar you will feel lonely and lost at the times you sometimes need them the most. Age 43.

I HAVE 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. Age 47.

I HAVE LEARNED that credentials on the wall DO NOT make you a decent human being. Age 40.

I HAVE 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. Age 41.

I HAVE LEARNED that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it. Age 22.

I HAVE 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. Age 35.

I HAVE LEARNED that money is a lousy way of keeping score. Age 39.

I HAVE LEARNED that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and still have the best time. Age 22.

I HAVE LEARNED that either you control your attitude or it controls you. Age 26.

I HAVE LEARNED that it's not what you have in your life but whom you have in your life that counts. Age 25.

I HAVE LEARNED that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you had better know something. Age 30.

I HAVE LEARNED that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be. Age 37.

I HAVE LEARNED that you can keep going long after you think you can't. Age 34.

I HAVE LEARNED that learning to forgive takes practice. Age 41.

I HAVE LEARNED that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains. Age 38.

I HAVE LEARNED that love does make our individual world go around. And when love turns on us, we can feel our individual world "quake" right in front of us. Age 28.

I HAVE LEARNED that life is what you make of it. Age 27.

I HAVE LEARNED that love isn't earned, but a gift from the heart of someone special. Age 24.

I HAVE LEARNED that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it. Age 39.

I HAVE LEARNED that the road to success and the road to happiness are two lanes of the same highway. And the toll you must pay is simply being true to yourself. Age 40.

I HAVE LEARNED that you can make someone's day by simply sending them a little card. Age 44.

I HAVE LEARNED that children and grandparents are natural allies. Age 46.

I HAVE LEARNED that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his need to cast blame on others. Age 46.

I HAVE LEARNED that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours. Age 49.

I HAVE LEARNED that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone. Age 50.

I HAVE LEARNED that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. Age 52.

I HAVE LEARNED that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die. Age 53.

I HAVE LEARNED that making a living is not the same thing as making a life. Age 58.

I HAVE LEARNED that if you want to do something positive for your children, try to improve your marriage. Age 61.

I HAVE LEARNED that life sometimes gives you a second chance. Age 62.

I HAVE LEARNED that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. Age 64.

I HAVE LEARNED that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you. Age 65.

I HAVE LEARNED that everyone can use a prayer. Age 72.

I HAVE LEARNED that it pays to believe in miracles. And to tell the truth, I've seen several. Age 73.

I HAVE LEARNED that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. Age 82.

I HAVE LEARNED that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch--holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. Age 85.

I HAVE LEARNED that I still have a lot to learn. Age 92.

I HAVE LEARNED that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. Age 48.

I HAVE LEARNED that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills. Age 52.

I HAVE LEARNED that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision. Age 66.

I think I just learned that there may be hope for us yet! Now let's go get some fresh coffee, my friend.

7 comments:

Lydia said...

Jim these are so beautiful! Thanks so much for an inspiring post! I love the 92 year old!! We are never done learning are we?

:)
Have a great day!
lydia

blondie said...

Wow, that was a long one.
Glad I read through it.
And you're right, there may be hope for us all.
Thanks for the coffee Jim :)
Later!

Noki said...

I HAVE LEARNED that an eleven pound cat can take down a two-hundred pound adult human.

Cygnus MacLlyr said...

hi hermit!
nice upbeat post! even the seemingly 'sad' ones have their message...

Have a good day


cygnus

HermitJim said...

Hey Cygnus...thanks for the visit. When you read something like this, it reminds us that we are really more alike than we realise.

Have a good day.

Hey Ash...don't forget about the get together at Nanny's Saturday. You told me to remind you, so consider it done.

Thanks for the visit.

The Scavenger said...

Jim, what a list. I sorta get the feeling that our lives have been much the same. We have learned our lessons the hard way. Good job and thanks for reminding me of some of the things I have learned.

Chris

HermitJim said...

Hey Chris...appreciate the visit. Sometimes the lessons learned the hard way are the easiest to remember, don't you think?

Thanks for the comments...