Life is just one big learning experience. Some lessons we learn in a flash. It only takes once and we know we will NEVER do that again. Others....hmmm...we may have to experience over and over before we FINALLY get it. Some lessons are so painful you can actually feel as if you will never get through it and the pain will NEVER stop......those that we don't learn quickly can leave you literally gasping for breath and begging for comfort and relief. Life lessons should ultimately leave you with new tools, and understanding and a better outlook on your path.
Some of the lessons I have learned......
1. Never turn down friendship. When someone is reaching out to you and letting you know they value you and care don't turn your back. It may not be a friendship where you will see each other and talk to each other every day but who can afford to turn away kindness????...Not I!
2. When you have hurt someone you need to do all you can to make it right. And don't expect anything in return. Sometimes you can do and say everything in your power to make things right only for it to fall on deaf ears and cold hearts. As long as you were completely sincere and know you left no stone unturned then you have to let it go....as hard as that is. We are human...we want to know we have been forgiven. But that may not always happen. I recently reached out and was met with silence.....cold unfeeling silence. It hurt but I know I did all I could do......if they chose not to forgive then there is nothing I can do.
3. On the flip side to number 2 is being able to forgive. I realize that some hurts go deeper than others and some take more time to get through. But moving forward in my life I want to be that person that forgives and really lets things go. A challenge...of course. I am human and I have always had tender feelings. But it is really something I want in my life moving forward. I will work on it daily with real purpose!
4. Not everyone wants to hear my opinion....LOL. I get to have one, that is my right. But I don't always have to share it. Not everyone wants to hear life according to Cricket!
5. I believe people are good. We make mistakes, we mess up, we are not always accountable for our actions. But that doesn't make us BAD...it makes us human. We all have things we need to work on. Isn't that why we are here in the first place?
6. Acceptance of others doesn't mean you have to always agree with the choices of others. It means treating them and their choices with respect. Each of us has the right to make choices for ourselves. We have the right to change our minds, seek out different ways of life, educate ourselves in the choices we are making and move forward with those choices. I am not talking about hurtful choices like driving while drunk etc..... I am talking about choices of lifestyle, religion, education, sexuality....etc. I don't think I am better than ANYONE out there because our life choices are not the same. Nor am I less than anyone out there for the same reasons.
7. I have learned that people show love in different ways. Some are the shy quiet types that will listen whenever you need an ear. Some are loud and will shout to the world that they are your defender and no one better mess with you. Some will send a card, bake you some cookies, help you with your resume, buy you lunch, pray for you, and not let you get away with being hurtful to yourself or others. Some will just always be there no matter when you need them. No matter how far away you may be you know they will be there no matter what!!!
8. Love doesn't always come wrapped in the same wrapping paper, with a bow....but love is a gift no matter how it comes and what it looks like. When someone offers love, accept it, and give thanks that someone saw through all your layers...good and bad and still thought you were fantastic enough to share their heart and be a part of their lives.
9. You can't change people. You have no control over another person's choices. You are only in control of your own. Wonder why we are so bent on changing others and so reluctant to work on ourselves? I know for me, it is always easier to see another's faults than my own!! I have been very guilty of this. Something I am really, really working on. I get to take care of me and my business and let others do the same.
10. I am a loving friend....I really know this about myself. I have many faults and I am far from perfect but when I love you, I love you. I will do my best to give you my best. I will be there for you, support you and assist you in any way I can.
11. Though we all have stains and cracks, and none of us are perfect we all deserve love.
Life changes, so do people. With each step we take the sand beneath our feet shifts and what once was may never be again. But change doesn't have to be a bad thing even though it can be very scary. One step of courage at a time.....one foot in front of the other. I am really working hard on being true to me, not judging others and being kind to all that I come in contact with. Some days I do great...some days I fail big time. But I won't give up!!
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