I've Learned that...

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

... just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up. Age 13

... children and grandparents are natural allies .Age 46

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

... company is often more healing than words of advice. Age 24

... 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

... motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone. Age 50

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

... you can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk. Age 7

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

... life sometimes gives you a second chance. Age 62

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

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

... that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures. Age 29

... wherever I go, the worlds worst drivers have followed me there. Age 29

... singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours. Age 49

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

... if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up. Age 13

... when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back. Age 9

... although it's hard to admit it, I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me. Age 15

... 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

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

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

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

... everyone can use a prayer. Age 72

... I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent Night". Age 7

... there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it. Age 41

... 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 still have a lot to learn. Age 92

I've learned that...

... you can get by on charm for about 15 minutes. After that, you'd better know something.

... you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do.

... it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do about it.

... you can do something in an instant that will give you a heartache for life.

... no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides.

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

... a lot easier to react than it is to think.

... you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

... you can keep going long after you think you can't.

... that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

... that I can't visit a bookstore without buying something.

... that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

... that sometimes I just need to be held.

... 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.

... heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

... learning to forgive takes practice.

... when the light turns green, you had better look both ways before proceeding.

... you can love someone and still not like him very much.

... when I'm given a choice of 31 flavors of ice cream, I still choose vanilla.

... money is a lousy way of keeping score.

... my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

... sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

... good quality underwear is worth the extra cost.

... I'm getting more and more like my mom, and I'm kinda happy about it.

... sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

... true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.

... 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.

... no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.

... no matter how old I am, I want my mom when I'm hurting.

... 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.

... you should never tell a child his dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if he believed it.

... 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 just biological.

... 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 wish I could have told my parents that I love them one more time before they died.

... commercials for feminine products always come on when you're sitting in a room with men.

...it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

... no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

... boys only rub your back to find out if you're wearing a bra.

... our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

... sometimes when my friends fight, I'm forced to choose sides even when I don't want to.

... 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.

... sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.

... it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.

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

... if you don't want to forget something, stick it in your underwear drawer.

... you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

... the clothes I like best are the ones with the most holes in them.

... it's no fun putting on a wet swimsuit.

... it's not what you have in your life but whom you have in your life that counts.

... two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

... peeing in the woods with a couple of friends can be an amazing bonding experience.

... a good friend is better than a therapist.

... sandwiches cut diagonally taste better.

... you're never too old for slumber parties.

... you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.

... competing with a friend over a man is a fun game unless one of you actually wins.

... 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.