So I found this on a blog that I follow Brookelyn Photography.  I found the blog when I was planning my wedding and I thought her photography was magical.  Then, she posted this today, and I was really moved and wanted to share it.  There are parts of that strike me so deeply I have Selah moments reading it.  I hope that some part of it touches you.  We all need to remember these things that we already “know.”  My dear friend Heather reminded me at one of the most crucial moments in my life that my knowledge was expansive but my actions frequently were incongruent with all that I knew.  Perhaps keeping what matters as our center is key.  For me it is Faith as manifested in Love.  First God’s love for me,  and then in my ability to turn that love around, to heaven and earth.  When that is right, these things “I have learned” come more naturally for me.  What’s your center that keeps the best of you coming naturally?  We should all take a moment today to re-center.  I chose this picture because it was taken after a fall into the ocean and prophetic of a bigger fall in my life.  As I alluded to yesterday, that fall had produced some of the deepest groans and greatest gifts of my life.  Keep calm and carry on.  It’s only life.

Things I’ve Learned

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 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 but to the best you can do. I’ve learned – that it’s not what happens to people that’s important. It’s what they do about it. I’ve learned – that no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides. I’ve learned – that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be I’ve learned – that it’s a lot easier to react than it is to think. 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 think 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 heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. I’ve learned – that learning to forgive takes practice. I’ve learned – that there are people who love you dearly, but just don’t know how to show it. 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 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 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 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 sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions. I’ve learned – that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change. I’ve learned – that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. I’ve learned – that there are many ways of falling and staying in love. I’ve learned – that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get farther in life. 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 writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains. I’ve learned – that the paradigm we live in is not all that is offered to us. 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 although the word “love” can have many different meanings, it loses value when overly used. 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.

– anonymous-