What I’ve Learned

I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut when I have nothing to say

That remaining still is often the best thing to do when you are unsure of a plan of action

I’ve learned that whatever you put into the world will come back to you threefold

I’ve learned that doing nothing when something needs to be done makes more work in the long run or doing too much when I need not ruins the outcome

A cold shower is good sometimes

I’ve learned that there are some bad things that you do that are redeemable, but hurting a child is not one of them

I’ve learned that sometimes religion is a dangerous thing, some misrepresented, created and recreated by men to make life easier for some and painful for others

All God ever wanted us to do was to love and honor one another, not worship with gold and treasures, grovel, or kill in the name of

I’ve learned that.

I’ve learned that people that force religion on others are often hiding something either from others or from themselves

Or both.

What people fear the most is change, nor spiders, nor snakes

I’ve learned that it is true that what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger

I’ve learned that sometimes when I face my inner demons, they actually have a face

I’ve learned that responsibility for my actions begins with the awareness that I am wrong

Prejudice is learned, that children are ‘color-blind’ unless conditioned otherwise

I’ve learned that most men need their hearts broken, ripped apart and stomped on before they truly understand what love is

I’ve learned that I often forget to breathe

We as a nation have forgotten how to raise our children

I’ve learned that a child will love their parent(s) unconditionally, even after the parent has abandoned and/or abused them

I learned that green M&Ms are indeed sexy

Simply taking a walk can clear up most problems, or at least change my frame of mind

I’ve learned that if I stop, listen and pay attention to my surroundings, that there is a lot more going on around me that I didn’t realize before

I’ve learned that real love is work, that being with one person for a long enough time to really know them takes patience, understanding, and the ability to look outside oneself.

It is far easier to give up than to do the work, but there is no reward in that

I’ve learned that my children learn more from my action than from what I say

I know enough to be wise, but not enough to be intelligent

I’ve learned that common sense isn’t too common

That none can truly feel love without accepting the loss and pain involved

True evil is in the temptation, that temptation can present itself as something or someone most beautiful and desirable

That sometimes people just want someone to listen, not give advice, state what’s wrong, or make any comments at all

I’ve learned that the silent moments between two people tell more than words and that the comfortable silent moments are worth a million spoken words.

There is a moment in each day that gives us the opportunity to change, ourselves, our community, or the world

I’ve learned that.

Don McCoy 1995/2019