I got most of these thoughts from an email sent to
my family from my cousin Mark in Oregon, but I've added some myself.
They kind of make you think.
I've learned
that you can't 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 15 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 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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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've learned
that you should
always tell people when
they do something
good or look nice.
I've learned
to never forget
who loves me.
I've learned
that no matter how
strong some people
appear to be, they
still hurt.
I've learned
that actions speak
louder than words.
I've learned
to never forget
to see the humor in everything.
I've learned
that you should
always listen to your heart,
your brain can get
you in trouble.
I've learned
that some people
will always be close to your
heart and you should
keep them there.
I've learned
that you should
always admire the moon, the stars, and sunsets.
I've learned
that you shouldn't
ever take things for granted,
it will catch up
with you.
I've learned
that you should
always spend money and time wisely.
I've learned
that there will
always be another game on.
I've learned
that short term
pleasure almost always
leads to long term
heartache.
I've learned
In school, no matter
how far ahead you plan
to do a paper or
project, chances are you'll
have to stay up
all night the night before
to finish it.
I've learned
that learning to
budget your time is just
as important as
budgeting money.
I've learned
that even if you
haven't spoken to a person
in five years, you
still feel their impact in your life
and you'll realize
this when it's too late to thank them.
I've learned
that once you get
past adolescence and growing up,
your brother who
had been you're most hated enemy
in childhood can
become your most trusted friend and
he will know you
better than anyone else possibly can.
I've learned
that holding grudges
doesn't make you a stronger
person it just makes
you bitter.
I've learned
that we will be
on this earth for 70 or 80 years
so why go through
that time without a smile
on your face.
I've learned
that no matter how
hard you try, you will judge
every person you
see, but that doesn't mean
you have to abide
by your judgment.
I've learned
that you know people
are your true friends when
every time you think
about them, you smile.
I've learned
that hell hath no
fury like a woman scorned.
I've learned
that a good conversation
beats
a good TV show any
day.
I've learned
that parents really
were once children too.
I've learned
that no matter how
much you think so,
you don't know as
much as your parents.
I've learned
that dogs are really
great friends.
I've learned
that high school
is lived in a bubble in which
you are completely
oblivious to the wonders
of the outside world.
I've learned
that the high school
years are the best
and simplest of
your life.
I've learned
that you should
cherish your memories
of childhood and
even write them down,
because the mind
has a way to forget sometimes.
I've learned
that you shouldn't
ever say that you'll
never do something
again, because
chances are you
will.
I've learned
that the friendships
you have as a child
and adolescent will
come and go often.
I've learned
that there will
be a new thing at least once a year
that's the "end
of the world." Learn from this event
because the next
one's always worse.
I've learned
that you shouldn't
ever say that things
can't get any worse,
because they can.
I've learned
that you will be
"in love" at least 5 times
before you really
are.
I've learned
that you shouldn't
let yourself get bored
for too long, there's
always something to do.
I've learned
that your mother
will always be your mother,
even when your 40
years old. That's just
the way it is.
I've learned
that it is always
much more fun to chase something
than to catch it,
especially the opposite sex.
I've learned
that communication
is the most important skill to have.
I've learned
that a sense of
humor is the most important thing to keep.
I've learned
that tomorrow is
a whole new day, so
don't carry things
over from yesterday.
I've learned
that you should
always return a smile.
I've learned
that you should
start each day happy until
something makes
you sad, not the opposite.
I've learned
that making someone
feel stupid
is a horrible thing
to do.
I've learned
that you really
know you love somebody
when you don't mind
losing to them.
I've learned
that changing the
radio station or talking on
a cell phone is
not more important than
watching the road.
I've learned
that if you're doing
something wrong and you
get caught, don't
get mad, it's your own fault.
I've learned
that winning at
something just means that
you have no where
to go but down.
I've learned
that hind sight
is most definitely 20-20.
I've learned
that it's important
to be a good loser, but even
more important to
be a good winner.
I've learned
that good pitching
always beats good hitting.
I've learned
that making mistakes
is human, refusing to admit
them makes you a
jack ass.
I've learned
that you're conscience
is a good thing, listen to it.
I've learned
that you should
never tell anyone that you hate them,
even if you're kidding.
I've learned
that a guy will
always act like a jerk in front of his friends.
I've learned
that nothing is
a gift if you expect something in return.
I've learned
that if you think
you're better than another person,
then you're obviously
not.
I've learned
that at least half
of the times you say, "I'm sorry,"
you really won't
be.
I've learned
that whether you
watch a game on TV or not,
it's not going to
effect the outcome.
I've learned
that you are always
going to remember
more bad things
than good.
I've learned
that what you want
to believe will always win out
over what you should
believe.
I've learned
that there will
always be a part of us
that wants to go
outside and play in the rain.
And last but not least,
I've learned
that men will never
figure out women, and women
will never figure
out why men can't figure them out.