What have I learned?

(1999 version - what have you learned since then)
 
  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.
  I've learned-
  that you can do something in an instant
  that will give you heartache for life.
  I've learned-
  that it's taking me a long time
  to become the person I want to be.
  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 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, 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 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 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 credentials on the wall
  do not make you a decent human being.
  I've learned-
  that the people you care about most in life
  are taken from you too soon.
  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.