It’s been one heckuva week.

Recent events have prompted me to reflect on pivotal truths I’ve learned during my lifetime:

• Things will not always be how I want them to be.
• Each human is unique. No two people have the exact same life experience, interests, and perspectives–not even identical twins.
• Some people willingly accept a new concept. Some require more explanation or evidence before they’ll believe. And some will never accept.
• People will rarely change their minds about something that is an essential part of their core beliefs.
• An event or experience can create a wide range of emotions in different people, or even in the same person.
• I can’t know precisely what another person is thinking or feeling unless we communicate about it.
• Some problems are far more complex than I realize.
• I must save my energies for things I can change, and let the rest go.
• I cannot control the universe. Not even a little bit. (Cancer taught me this.)

Sometimes the weight of these truths seems overwhelming. When that happens, I try to focus on other truths I’ve learned:

• Holding on to anger is bad for my health. Let it go.
• I can choose to be happy.
• In each day there is always one good thing, however small. 
• Practice gratitude. Life is a gift.
• The sun will rise tomorrow. I get to try again.

May we all find our best selves, and, someday soon, learn to live together in peace.