Ten Life Lessons (A Journey Through A Weekend of Shock and Dismay)

Choices... "To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there." ~Kofi Annan

Respect... Certain people have a way of saying things that shake us to the core. Even when the words do not seem harsh or offensive, the impact is shattering. What we could be experiencing is the intent behind the words. When we intend to do good, we do. When we intend to do harm, it happens. What each of us must come to realize is that intent always comes through. We cannot sugarcoat the feelings in our heart of hearts. The emotion is the energy that motivates. We cannot ignore what we really want to create. We should be honest and do it the way we feel it. What we owe to ourselves and everyone around is to examine the reasons of our true intent.

Friendship... The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing - and face with us the reality of our own powerlessness - that is a friend who truly cares.

Trust... "A truth that's told with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent." ~William Blake

Brothers... There is a destiny that made us brothers, no one goes his way alone; all that we send into the lives of others, comes back into our own.

Best Friends... BEST FRIENDS are the "brothers" God forgot to give us.

Haters... Love your haters; they are your biggest fans.

Jealousy... Jealousy is simply and clearly the fear that you do not have value. Jealousy scans for evidence to prove the point - that others will be preferred and rewarded over you. There is only one alternative - self value. If you cannot love yourself, you will not believe that you are loved. You will always think it's a mistake or luck. Take your eyes off others and turn the scanner within. Find the seeds of your jealousy, clear the old voices and experiences. Put all the energy into building your personal and emotional security. Then you will be the one others envy, and you can remember the pain and reach out to them.

Worry... Refuse to be burdened by vague worries. If something wants to worry you, demand that it make itself clear.

Deceit... They put on a front that seems accomodating, loyal, and yes, even sacrificial. Then, without warning, they raise their knife, and by the time you see the glint of the blade, it's almost always too late.