Robert Mellinkoff

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.

I've learned -
that you can do something in an instant
that will give you heart-ache 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 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 you either 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 then there had better be something
else to take it's place.

I've learned -
that heros are the people
who do what has to be done
when it has to be done,
regardless of the consequences.

I've learned -
that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

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 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 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 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 when you are eager to find out a secret,
Know that 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 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 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.