After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul…

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises,

And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child

And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure that you really are strong and that you really do have worth,

And you learn and you learn with every goodbye you learn…

©1971 Veronica Shoffstall

If you enjoyed this poem, you might also really like the My Law poem written by Tieme Ranapiri (translated from Maori by Kaumātua Kere Graham).

Plus this special letter (a note for everybody)

PLUS check out these free gifts from friends… CHECK out the following great resources as well…Forward Steps Personal Development » After A While You Begin To Learn

Hi, I'm Thea Westra at Forward Steps (forwardstepsblog.com)

Since March 2003, I've been sharing practical, positive, thought provoking and inspiring self improvement content online. My aim is simple - to offer tips and resources that help us enhance our daily experience of life and to keep stepping forward. Perth, Western Australia is the place I call home and I'm the author of "Time For My Life: 365 Stepping Stones". You might also know me from the Forward Steps personal development blog and the daily series of "365 Forward Steps Notes", all designed to add wings to our unique life journeys.

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