Things I Have 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
but who you have in your life that counts.

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 you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.

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 regardless of how hot and steamy
a relationship is at first,
the passion fades and there had better be
something else to take its place.

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 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.

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 sometimes when my friends fight,
I'm forced to choose sides
even when I don't want to.

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 you shouldn't be so
eager to find out a secret.
It could change your life forever.

I've learned -
that two people can look
at the exact same thing
and see something totally different.

I've learned -
that no matter how you try to protect
your children, they will eventually get hurt
and you will hurt in the process.

I've learned -
that no matter the consequences,
those who are honest with themselves
get farther in life.

I've learned -
that no matter how many friends you have,
if you are their pillar you will feel lonely
and lost at the times you need them most.

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.

© Kathy Kane Hansen

Deny Yourself

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Sin causes us to be self-centered, shifting our hearts from God to self. The essence of salvation is an about-face from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. The Christian must spend a lifetime denying self. Our great temptation will be to affirm ourselves while we follow Jesus. James and John did this when they chose to follow Jesus but asked for the two most prominent positions in Jesus' kingdom (Mark 10:35-37). James and John wanted a discipleship that would not impede their personal desires and aspirations. Like them, we say, "Lord, I want to be pleasing to you, but I want to stay where I am." ~Blackaby

Wow – this really hit home to me in my devotions today!  How many times during the day do I actually deny myself anything?  Yet, in order to be like Christ, and be His true disciple, I must do this daily.  We never get to the point where we’ve arrived and know it all.  I fall so short and yet, He SO loves!!  Guess I need to get started…how about you?

Friends

Found this card while cleaning out my work cubicle this week!  It’s from my friend Gretchen from back in 2005!  She’s the one I mentioned on my last blog…how cool is that??  I hope this card is also true of me to all of my friends! J

Changes

Did you ever hear the song, “Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold”?  Well, for myself, I don’t make new friends easily.  Most people think I’m very outgoing, and I am, but not initially.  It usually takes me awhile to warm up to people.  I’ve had several friends who were close at one point, but then moved away and we lost touch.  That’s one of the reasons why I like Facebook.  It allows you to connect with a whole bunch of people – new and old.

Last Friday, Mom and I had lunch with a friend of mine that I used to go to church with.  She got married back in 1997 and I was in her wedding.  A lot has changed since that time – she now has 3 boys and I am still single and searching!  LOL!  I always tell people – I could have been married at least twice, but it would have been to the wrong person.  It wasn’t the Lord’s will.  So, I’d rather be single and happy than married and miserable.  Hopefully it’s still in God’s plans for me to marry, but who knows??

Anyway, back to my friend…we used to hang out all the time together.  We worked together, went to church together, we had slumber parties, road trips…all things fun!  But when she got married, much of that changed.  In fact, most of that changed.  Although I was happy for her getting married, I was sad too because I didn’t have that friend to go places with or to do things with anymore. 

Changes – our life is full of them!!  Sometimes good and sometimes not so good.  About the only thing that is constant in our lives is CHANGE.  I’m a process-oriented person, so it takes me awhile to adapt to change.  You would think I’d be more used to it though, as I’ve had several things in my life that have been sudden changes, ie., My dad dying with a sudden heart attack and our house burning down. 

Now, don't get me wrong, I do like change too!  I get bored very easily, so sometimes change is exactly what I need.  Like a new hairdo, car, job, promotion, clothing, jewelry...all things good.  But, life is a series of emotions - peaks and valleys.  We're not always going to be up and we're not always going to be down.  But, with Christ as our Savior, we have a constant Friend to help us face those changes and rough times!

I’m so glad that I have a Friend Who sticks closer than a brother.  He won’t disappoint or leave me.  He will always be there when I need Him.  He’s as close as the mention of His name!!  I’m so thankful that Jesus is always the same – He NEVER changes and NEVER will!  “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

Ten Things About Me

In Facebook, I'm doing a 30-day Photo Challenge.  On the first day, I was supposed to tell 10 facts about myself.  For those of you who aren't on Facebook, here you go!!

1. My middle name is Michelle.
2. I was saved when I was 5 yrs old.
3. I love to sing!
4. Southern Gospel Music is my all time favorite!
5. My sister Lisa is my bestest friend!
6. I have worked for NASA since 1991.
7. I traveled and sang in a Southern Gospel Trio for 3 ½ years.
8. Everyone in my family was born in AL except for me.
9. My favorite candy bar is Snickers.
10. My first trip overseas was to London, England in July 2007.