Lessons
of Love
Originally Published 1/22/1999
Dear Cyberfriends,
I hope that you have recovered from the holiday season, and
have joyfully emerged into 1999!
Though I know this email is a little long, I wanted to share
it in its entirety because each thought is really beautiful. So
please take a moment, take three deep, slow, luxurious breaths, and
as you exhale, focus in the moment on the following:
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 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 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 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 had better be something else to take
its place.
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 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 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 your family won’t always be there for you.
It may seem funny, but people you aren’t
related to can take care of you and love you
and teach you to trust people again.
Families aren’t biological.
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 are 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 your life can be changed in the matter of
hours by people who don’t even know you.
I’ve learned-
that 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 can about most 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.
With blessings of bliss, fulfillment, affluence, and love,
Averi
