I’ve learned that life will throw me strong curve balls, some of which I can dodge, some of which are direct hits. I’ve learned that even the direct hits, don’t kill me. I’ve learned that pain and joy are sometimes the opposite side of the same coin, situation, attitude. I’ve learned that my mind and body can go crazy with stress, but that rarely untangles the issue. I’ve learned that most problems are solvable, with enough thought and distance. I’ve learned that taking care of myself is all the more necessary when I’m down. I’ve learned that nothing, other than myself, can really stop me. I’ve learned that I can put up with a lot, and keep going.  I’ve learned that certain people, who are no longer in my life, I can miss forever. I’ve learned that I am bigger, and stronger, than I’d imagined. I’ve learned that large, amorphous happiness is harder to locate than smaller, more specific happiness. I’ve learned that challenges are often opportunities to molt out of skin that has become too small. I’ve learned that sometimes, all we need is a new toolbox. And I’ve learned that peace is harder to attain as problems loom large, which is all the more reason to dig deeper to find it.