What is the most important "life lesson" you have learned?

Quote by rgrman133
hard to say which one of my principles is more important than another. i didn't make these up, but i have learned that they work very reliably in a wide variety of situations and relationships
- practice gratitude
- apply the golden rule
- look for the good in others and situations
- always seek to find the win-win answer in conflicts
- have some reasonable expectation of the other person applying the golden rule in a relationship with an equal
- unconditional love can be dangerous and is unwise and unrealistic between equals. but if i really love you "unconditionally," then i will leave you if you are abusive
- the right to self-defense cannot and should not be taken away. everyone is entitled to and should act in their own enlightened self-interest- (which could include giving up your seat on the titanic's lifeboat. it is one thing to willingly give up yourself sacrificially, but different if it is demanded by someone- that's usually abuse)
- accept reality, but push on the areas you can change (same as the serenity prayer)
- give the benefit of the doubt until someone makes it obvious they should not have it
- don't jump to quick conclusions... suspend judgment until you can investigate
- love has to be given freely. manipulation is antithetical to love.
- free gifts have to be given freely. don't trust people who give to incur obligation
- a relationship with an equal should have some overarching equitable equivalency to it. you might give different things to each other, but it feels like your giving as good as you get
- be honest with yourself, be aware, be present