"If you're looking for the key to the Universe I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The bad news: There is no key to the Universe. The good news: It was never locked.”

Author Unknown
But Greatly Appreciated!

POSSIBILITIES

When your dreams start to seem so impossible,
When roadblocks are all you can see —
Look beyond all the problems that face you
And focus on POSSIBILITIES.

Don’t limit your thoughts to the present
Or solutions you have learned from the past;
Remember to keep looking forward —
You may find the answer at last.

It is YOU who determines your future —
How your journey through tomorrow will be;
To fill all your days with adventure,
Dare to see what no one else dares to see.

So never let obstacles stop you —
Or keep you from doing your part;
Have faith that your dreams are all possible
If you truly believe in your heart.

Best Wishes! Tom Krause © 2001

SO ... WHAT DID I LEARN?

I learned that sometimes it is easier to share my soul with the whole world
Than it is to share it with someone intimate

I learned that aspiring toward my desires takes true commitment
And, a solid belief that my goals have legitimacy

I learned that asking for understanding is sometimes impossible
But, giving understanding is not

I learned that trying to prepare others for what lies ahead,
May confuse their innocence and thwart their progress

I learned that saying no to someone else, even when they object
Can help them learn to say no in their own lives, when need be

I learned that wanting and needing are hard to separate
But the difference is of great importance

I learned that I am stronger than I thought I was
And, that I need both strength and insight to function

I learned that I will not always feel positive
But that, my down days give me perspective

I learned that patience takes self-discipline
But, its rewards are immense

I learned that laughing after making a mistake
Does not erase its valuable lesson

I learned that letting someone else’s laughter reach my heart
Is just as rewarding as saying something to make them laugh

I learned that appreciation of others, of life and of challenges
Causes each day to be full and fruitful

I learned that it is good to expect better of one’s self
But, not so good to stress over petty details

I learned that living is not one huge moment of joy
It is the travel, and the unravel — the discovery of life,
That builds foundations for joy and for loving and living

~By N.O. Tate (Reprinted with Permission)

You Learn
Veronica A. Shoffstall

After awhile you learn
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn that love doesn't mean possession
and company doesn't mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises and you begin to accept
your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of an adult not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build your roads today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have ways of falling down in mid-flight.
After awhile you learn that even sunshine
burns if you get too much so you plant your
own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
that you really are strong
and you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn...

I'VE LEARNED
September 21, 1998

•I've learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it.
- Age 39
•I've learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up.
- Age 13
•I've learned that children and grandparents are natural allies.
- Age 46
•I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
-Age 82
•I've learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice.
- Age 24
•I've learned that 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
•I've learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone.
- Age 50
•I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die.
- Age 53
•I've learned that you can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
- Age 7
•I've learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his need is to cast blame on others.
- Age 46
•I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
- Age 62
•I've learned that it pays to believe in miracles. And to tell the truth, I've seen several.
- Age 73
•I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
- Age 64
•I've learned that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures.
- Age 29
•I've learned that wherever I go, the worlds worst drivers have followed me there.
- Age 29
•I've learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours.
- Age 49
•I've learned that you can make someone's day by simply sending them a little card.
- Age 44
•I've learned that if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up.
- Age 13
•I've learned that when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back.
- Age 9
•I've learned that although it's hard to admit it, I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me.
- Age 15
•I've learned that 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
•I've learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision.
- Age 66
•I've learned that if you want to do something positive for your children, try to improve your marriage.
- Age 61
•I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.
- Age 58
•I've learned that everyone can use a prayer.
- Age 72
•I've learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent Night".
- Age 7
•I've learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it.
- Age 41
•I've learned that 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've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
- Age 92

~Submitted by Fran Sawyer, Florida~

Dear Readers:

I have to confess (but I think most people know how passionate I am about words--words forceful, poignant, healing. The writing (I do take credit for a few of the "author unknowns") and the numerous pieces I've collected, is like my daily pull and push. This week I'm sort of focusing on healing and learning. I hope you'll be emotionally rejuvinated as I've been.
Thanks for reading.
Glasceta Honeyghan


LESSONS LEARNED

You've taught me
that this is not all life is made to be.
That not everything is bad;
to cherish everything I've had.
To look deep inside
and to hold my head up high.
You've taught me
that I can be happy.
That life does get better
and I can pull it together.
You showed me how to smile
when I didn't think it was worth while.
You've taught me
not to live in misery.
That someone will understand
and someone will hold my hand.
That I only have to try
and I don't always have to cry.
You've taught me
to be who I want to be.
To not be afraid
that the pain can be erased.
To open up my heart
though it can tear me apart.
You've taught me
to live life freely.
To show when I care
to love when I dare.
To open up my eyes
and to forget about my pride.

~author unknown but greatly appreciated~

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN

Most of what I really need
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sandpile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder

~Robert Fulghum~

LESSONS LEARNED IN LIFE

"The illiterate of the future will not be the person who cannot read. It will be the person who does not know how to learn." - Alvin Tofler

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Schnopenaur

I've learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice.

I've learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it.

I've learned that the road to success and the road to happiness are two lanes of the same highway. And the toll you must pay is simply being true to yourself.

I've learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it.

I've learned that you can make someone's day by simply sending them a little card.

I've learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his need to cast blame on others.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that 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.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

~author unknown but greastly appreciated~

HEARTPRINTS

Whatever our hands touch -
We leave fingerprints!
On walls, on furniture
On doorknobs, dishes, books.
There's no escape.
As we touch we leave our identity.

Wherever I go today
Help me leave heartprints!
Heartprints of compassion
Of understanding and love.

Heartprints of kindness
And genuine concern.
May my heart touch a lonely neighbor
Or a runaway daughter
Or an anxious mother
Or perhaps an aged grandfather.

Send me out today
To leave heartprints.
And if someone should say,
"I felt your touch,"
May they also sense the love
that is deep within my heart.
_author unknown~

BREAK UP AND BROKEN HEART QUOTES

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop.
Anonymous

Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.
Kahlil Gibran

No matter who broke your heart, or how long it takes to heal, you'll never get through it without your friends.
Carrie from Sex in the City

The hottest love has the coldest end.
Socrates

It takes a couple seconds to say Hello, but forever to say Goodbye.
Anonymous

You don't die from a broken heart - you only wish you did.
Anonymous

Better never to have met you in my dream than to wake and reach for hands that are not there.
Otomo No Yakamochi

And I shall find some girl perhaps, and a better one than you, With eyes as wise, but kindlier, and lips as soft, but true, and I daresay she will do.
Rupert Brooke

Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love.
Charlie Brown

Love: a grave mental disease.
Plato

DOUBT/FAITH

Doubt sees the obstacles
faith sees the way.
Doubt sees the darkest night
Faith sees the day.
Doubt dreads to take a step
Faith soars on high.
Doubt questions 'who believes?'
Faith answers, 'I.' ”

Author Unknown
But Greatly Appreciated!