I've learned. (Wrote when I was 19)

I've learned a lot in my 19 years on Earth. 

I've learned thoroughly that life is hard, and that it won't pause or slow down no matter how much you want it to. Hoping that it will serves no purpose. But, still, sometimes you just can't help feeling that way.

I've learned there's no way to prevent yourself from getting hurt. If you go through life trying not to get hurt, you still end up getting hurt. But, it's just you mainly that gets hurt. You also hurt the others that are trying to get close to you. Putting that wall up for what you think is safety, is a great way to push others away. Someone will fight for you only for so long before they give up and leave. Just be sure that you don't push the best people away from you.

I've learned to accept the past, no matter what. Make yourself believe you are okay with it until you actually are. Of course, you can seek help with getting closure with troubling memories that you can't seem to let go of. The past is the past. Why let the past affect your future? You can't change the past no matter how much you want to. Wishing for it isn't going to change anything. So why let the bad memories fog over your current life? 

I've learned you can't rely on medicine or solely on others to make you feel happiness that isn't really there. Happiness starts with you, and ends with you. If you are unhappy with something in your life, change it. Sometimes it's a simple change, other times it's difficult and takes a lot of time to fully happen. The end result is all that matters. Happiness is worth fighting for and making sacrifices. 

I've learned to not let others bring me down. They say cruel and hurtful things to me to make up for some insecurity they have, so why should I be brought down to their level? I have to rise above the things that are said about me. I'm better than letting morons bring me down. 

I've learned you can get close to people. But, don't get too close. I think it's safest to keep some distance. Don't put your whole life on them. Then, if something goes awry, you are destroyed in every aspect. Keep a safe distance. But, still have enough closeness.

I've learned that you have to be your own best friend. People will come and go throughout your life. You will always have you. You will always be stuck with you. Better learn to love and appreciate yourself. The quicker you do, the easier life will be. 

I've learned that love isn't like the romance movies or fairytales you grow up watching or reading. But, it has the ability to be something great and beautiful. But, can also cause you a lot of pain. It's not always worth fighting for if you are with the wrong person. In the end, it will feel right when you are with “the one”. Don't carry on being with someone who isn't making you feel worthwhile or loved. As Marilyn Monroe quoted, “It's better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone.” 

I've learned you need to release your feelings and not bottle them up. Only so much can be held in until you lose it. Rage and anger building up isn't worth you having a few moments where you appear to be stronger than you actually are. It's okay to cry. Everyone is human, and it doesn't make you weak to cry. But, you do need to find healthy ways to deal with your emotions and not just keep them bottled up inside. 

I've learned that you need to dream and have wishes for how you want your life. But, you can't let those take over your reality. Just like everything else in life, you need to find the balance. 

I've learned that everything happens for a reason. Whether good or bad, there is a reason for everything that happens in your life. Maybe so you realize how strong minded you actually are. Or, maybe so you realize a problem you need to fix, etc. Sometimes really horrible things happen, and you can't for the life of you figure out at first why the event occurred. But, once you dig down, there is always a positive. Every negative can be turned into a positive. Sometimes you can figure that out pretty much instantly. Other times, it can take days, weeks, or even years for you to find the good. But, it's always there. 

I've learned a lot in my 19 years of existence. With age comes wisdom. I know that I am a wise and intelligent person and I know there is so much more that I will learn as I grow older and mature more. But, I'm ready to learn,the hard or easy way.