Lessons Learned: Life, Love, and Growth

1. 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.

2. I’ve learned… that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

3. 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.

4. I’ve learned… that no matter how badly your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

5. I’ve learned… that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

6. I’ve learned… that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

7. 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.

8. I’ve learned… that it takes years to build up trust and one second to destroy it.

9. I’ve learned… that we are responsible for what we do … no matter how we feel.

10. I’ve learned… that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

11. 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.

12. I’ve learned… that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you’d better know something.

13. I’ve learned… that you shouldn’t compare yourself to the best others can do.

14. I’ve learned… that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

15. I’ve learned… that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to forgive yourself.

16. I’ve learned… that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

17. I’ve learned… that you can keep going long after you can’t.

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

19. I’ve learned… that being kind is more important than being right.

20. I’ve learned… that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

21. I’ve learned… that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

22. I’ve learned… that money doesn't buy class.

23. I’ve learned… that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

24. I’ve learned… that the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

25. I’ve learned… that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

26. I’ve learned… that love, not time, heals all wounds.

27. I’ve learned… that the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

28. I’ve learned… that life is tough, but I'm tougher.

29. I’ve learned… that opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

30. I’ve learned… that when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

31. I’ve learned… that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

32. I’ve learned… that I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

33. I’ve learned… that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

34. I’ve learned… that the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.