Little by little, you will learn the subtle difference

between holding a hand

and chaining a soul.

You will learn that love is not leaning on someone,

and companionship is not a guarantee.

And you will learn

that kisses are not contracts,

and gifts

do not mean promises.

You will accept your defeats.

You will hold your head high,

with open eyes,

with a woman’s grace,

and not with a child’s sorrow.

And you will learn to build all your roads today,

because the ground of tomorrow

is not certain for dreams,

and the future always holds the possibility

of falling into the midst of conflict.

Little by little you learn

that even sunlight can burn

if you take too much of it.

Then you plant your own garden

and decorate your own soul,

instead of waiting for someone

to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you can endure…

that you are strong…

that you are worthy.

And you learn and learn

With every goodbye

you learn.

— Jorge Luis Borges