Pearls of Wisdom

What I Have Learned, 7th Edition revised

• I have learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these four things: a rainy day, lost luggage, tangled Christmas tree lights, and their mother. 

• I have learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. 

• I have learned that 'making a living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'. 

• I have learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

• I have learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you might need to be able to throw some things back. 

• I have learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. 

• I have learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

• I have learned that tact is for people who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic.

• I have learned that people will forget what the things you've said and done, but they'll never forget how you made them feel. 

• I have learned that when the door of happiness closes, another will open; however, we often look at the closed one for such a long time that we don't see that a new one has opened for us. 

• I have learned that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true we can't know what we've been missing until it arrives. 

• I have learned that the happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they've just made the most of everything that’s come their way.

• I have learned that the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with and never say a word to, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had. 

• I have learned never to take someone for granted, but to hold that person close to your heart because one day you might wake up and realize that you've lost a diamond in the rough while you were too busy collecting stones.

• I have learned that you should always try to do something nice for someone every day, even if it's just smiling and saying “Hi!” to them.

• I have learned that just because you give someone all of your love it’s never an assurance that they will love you back. 

• I have learned not to expect love in return…to just wait and let it to grow in their heart. But even if it doesn't, just be thankful that it grew in yours. 

• I have learned that you shouldn't go for looks, they can be deceiving. Don't go for wealth because even that can fade away.

• I have learned that you should always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind and the people that mind don't matter.

• I have learned not to be ashamed of what I have been through and/or the things I have done, but to be proud of the obstacles I have overcome. 

• I have learned that a friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.

• I have learned that without fear there is no courage.

• I have learned that we need to meet the wrong person before meeting the right one so that when we do finally meet that person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift. 

• I have learned that no one can drive you crazy unless you give them the keys. 

• I have learned that 10% of LIFE is what happens to you and the other 90% is how you react to it.

• I have learned that no matter how much you may want things to work out, sometimes it’s just best to walk away. It doesn't mean you're a coward, it means you're grown up enough to know when that's all she wrote.

• I have learned that life is too short to be pissed off all the time. Sometimes you have to let go in order to move on. 

• I have learned that being kind is more important than being right. 

• I have learned that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way. 

• I have learned that I should be glad God hasn't given me everything I have asked for.

• I have learned that ignoring the facts does not change them. 

• I have learned that when you plan to get even with someone all you're really doing is letting that person continue to hurt you. 

• I have learned that you should dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be. You have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do. 

• I have learned that you should always try to put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that something could hurt you, it probably will hurt others too.

• I have learned that we don't have to ditch our really fucked-up friends; their dysfunction can make you feel better about yourself. 

• I have learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon and all the less important ones just never go away. 

• I have learned that no matter how fucked up things get, it can always get worse. 

• I have learned that it isn’t always enough for others to forgive you; sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself. 

• I have learned that you can still cry and puke long after you think there's nothing left.

• I have learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to others - they are more fucked up than you think. 

• I have learned that love does not make the world go round, but it sure does make the ride worthwhile. 

• I have learned that it takes years to build trust; yet only suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.

• I have learned that our background and circumstances may have determined who we are but we are responsible for who we become. 

• I have learned that it’s taking me forever to become the person I want to be. 

• I have learned that a friend is someone who is there when they'd rather be somewhere else. 

• I have learned that life was much simpler when boys had cooties. 

• I have learned that I LOVE YOU is 8 letters...so is BULLSHIT. 

• I have learned that keeping your ex around is like having a gun; keep it around long enough and you're going to want to shoot it. 

• I have learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for a lifetime. 

• I have learned that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think. 

• I have learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words; it just may be the last time you see them. 

• I have learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel. 

• I have learned that either you control your attitude or it will control you. 

• 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.

• I have learned that learning to forgive takes practice. 

• I have learned that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it.

• I have learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down are usually the ones that will help you get back up. 

• I have learned that there will be times when I'm angry and have every right to be, but it doesn’t give me the right to be cruel. 

• I have learned that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love. 

• I have learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, it doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. 

• I have learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back. 

• I have learned that your family won't always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren't related to will sometimes take care of you, love you and teach you to how to trust people again. Families aren't biological. 

• I have learned that no matter how good a friend someone is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. 

• I have learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change. 

• I have learned that you shouldn't always be so eager to find out a secret; it could change your life forever. 

• I have learned that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts. 

• I have learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. 

• 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. 

• I have learned that no matter the consequences, the people that are honest with themselves usually get farther in life. 

• 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 need them most. 

• 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. 

• I have learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains. 

• I have learned never to argue with an idiot…the people watching might not know the difference. 

• I have learned if that if you must choose from two evils, pick the one you’ve never tried before. 

• I have learned that light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. 

• I have learned that birds of a feather flock together and then they crap on your car. 

• I have learned that if you can’t be kind at least have the decency to be vague. 

• I have learned that if you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything. 

• I have learned sometimes taking a risk is the easiest thing to do. 

• I have learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done, when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. 

• I have learned that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and hurt you in the process. 

• I have 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 have learned that wishing things were different is a great way to torture yourself.

• I have learned that sometimes you have to remove certain people from your life, even if they’re family. 

• I have learned that nothing - ever - happens exactly like you pictured it.

• I have learned that words are immensely powerful - one cruel remark can wound someone for life.

• I have learned that you can’t change other people and it’s rude to try.

• I have learned not to judge people by their relatives.

• I have learned to remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

• I have learned to be patient - sometimes things take a lot time and effort.

• I have learned that lend a helping hand whenever possible; you'll need help someday too. 

• I have learned that silence is sometimes the best answer.

• I have learned to be truthful or be quiet; lies are hard to keep track of.

• I have learned that it's not what happens to people that's important; it is what they do about it.

• I have learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of his actions.

• I have learned that no matter what happens or how bad it seems today, life does go on and it will be better tomorrow.

• I have learned that when you're in love, it shows.

• I have learned that money doesn't buy class.

• I have learned that opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

• I have learned that I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

• I have learned that it’s not always necessary to say the 1st thing that pops into your head.

• I have learned that resolving conflict is better than avoiding it.  

• I have learned that gossip kills.

• I have learned that people who flaunt one attribute usually have little else to offer.

• I have learned that our children are affected by our moods.

• I have learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

• I have learned that no matter how thin you slice it, there are always three sides to a story: yours, mine and the truth.