After awhile 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 held high and your eyes open, 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.

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

So 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 you really do have worth.

And you learn and learn ... and you learn with every goodbye, you learn.

"Aprendiendo"

Jorge Luis Borges

Words

What are words? A way of expressing ourselves, of saying what we think. Words can explain scientific facts or explain the beauty of a sunset. Words can encourage and words can hurt. Words can convey thoughts and feelings and intentions.
But words are easy. It is easy to say something, it is easy to find just the right word to make someone take notice, or someone look away .

Words.

Say what you mean. Say what you are. Say what you feel.

Words.

Words have no power without actions. Words are like a leaf in the wind. Here one moment and gone the next unless the action is behind them.
It is easy to learn words. And it is easy to say words. It is not so easy to do words. To say what you mean and then to do it.

Words.

Say I love you. Say it 1000 times. Say it again. What is it? Said and gone. Love me, that is harder to do.

Words.

Words can be weapons. Words can hurt and destroy the fragile soul of a sub. Measure your words, speak slowly. Follow the words with an action.

Throw out words. Make them sound good. Use them to soothe, to hurt, to teach or to tear down. It is the action that makes the words have meaning.

Don't tell me you love me. Show me.

Which one will you feed?

An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.

I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.
But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die.
I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."