Moms Pumpkin Soup

I've learned....
that I feel better about myself when
I make others feel better about themselves.

I've learned....
that what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us.
What we have done for others, and the world,
remains and is immortal.

I've learned....
that people will remember you as being a great conversationalist
if you mostly listen.

I've learned....
that one sincere apology is worth more than all the roses money can buy.

I've learned....
that words harshly spoken are as difficult to retrieve as feathers in a gale.

I've learned....
that the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned....
that a kindness done is never lost.
It may take a while, but like a suitcase on a luggage carousel,
it will return again.

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

I've learned....
that if you hang something in the closet for a while,
it shrinks two sizes.

I've learned....
that just one person saying to me,
"You've made my day!" makes my day.

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 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 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.