A Well-Known Quote

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.  I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.  I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.  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 you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.  I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, 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 every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.  I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.  I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~Maya Angelou

This is one of my all time favorte quotes.  I love it with a passion.  I read it all the time just to remind myself that there are lessons in life everywhere.  My mom made me a quilt for my high school graduation, and this quote is sewn into the back of the quilt.  It's also pretty well known and I've had people pass it on to me all the time (are they trying to tell me something?).

This past year, I have clung to this quote.  There is always going to be another day.  The sun will rise tomorrow.  And there is a chance that things will be better tomorrow.  That chance is worth taking.  It's worth sticking around for.  It's worth getting out of bed and facing the day.  Because if it gets better everyday, then things could really start to look up after enough time.  That's my attitude lately.  I felt like my whole world was coming to a close when NeverTooLate said she didn't want anything more to do with me.  And then the next day, I got a wonderful email from SinginInTheRain.  Now I have an amazing person in my life and I'm so thankful for having that opportunity.

I don't think Maya Angelou was thinking about all of my parents in her message, but I do miss my natural mother, even though we didn't have the greatest relationship.  I get so excited when I get a four line email from her.  Healthy?  Probably not.  But I still miss her.  I've gotten a few second chances and I'm hoping for one with NeverTooLate someday.  Who knows?  We'll see.

I love the part about throwing something back.  I definatly think that you have to be an active participant in life.  What's the point of living if you aren't going to fight back a little bit?  You have to learn how to throw something back at life.  You have to stand up when something isn't right.  I know that I've learned some of the best lessons in my short life thus far from standing up and taking a chance.  I also know I've had some of the most fun making lemonade.  So it's worth it.

I'm learning not to be a pain.  I'm learning to focus more on other people and less on myself.  I'm working on just being self-centered here on my blog.  It definatly helps :-)  It's a work in progress, but it's a worthwhile endevor.  I will always have something new to learn.  I will never know everything, and there will always be someone out there who knows a whole lot more than I do.

The end of this quote is my favorite.  Feelings are so important, and they are what we remember.  I can tell you how I felt about whatever situation even if I don't remember the words that were used or the actions that were taken.  Knowing this is true for me, I try to keep that in mind when dealing with others.  Like I said, it's a work in progress.