We have time

Just got the news that Octavian Paler, a Romanian thinker who got my respect (although I didn’t always agree with what he said) passed away… I always wanted to translate one of his poems. Never had the time...

We have time
by Octavian Paler

We have time for everything.

To sleep, to run from here to there,
to regret our mistakes and to mistake again,
to judge others and to forgive ourselves,
we have time to read and to write,
to check again what we wrote, to regret what we wrote,
we have time to plan projects and to forget about them,
we have time to create our own illusions and to sift through their ashes later on.

We have time for ambitions and illnesses,
to blame the destiny and the details,
we have time to watch the clouds, advertisements and
a random accident,
we have time to chase our questions away,
to postpone the answers,
we have time to shatter a dream
and reinvent it,
we have time to make friends, lose them,
we have time to learn our lessons and soon after to forget them,
we have time to receive presents and to not understand them.

We have time for everything.

We just don’t have time for a bit of tenderness.
When we are about to get to that, we die.

I have learned some things in life which I will share with you!

I have learned that you cannot make someone
love you.
All you can do is to be a loved person.
Everything else… depends on the others.

I have learned that no matter of how much I care,
Others might not care at all.

I have learned that it takes years to earn someone’s trust
And only a few seconds to lose it.

I have learned that it is not WHAT you have in life that matters,
but WHO you have in your life.

I have learned that charm is useful and will help you
For about 15 minutes,
Afterwards, however, you would better have something to say.

I have learned that you should never compare yourself
to what others can do better than you,
but to what you can do yourself.

I have learned that it is not what happens to people that matters,
but what I can do to help them.

I have learned that no matter how you look at it,
anything has two sides.

I have learned that you have to leave those dear to you with kind words.
It could be the last time you see them.

I have learned that you can keep going for a long time
After saying you cannot take it any longer.

I have learned that heroes are those who do what is right,
at the right time,
regardless of the consequences.

I have learned that there are people who love you
But do not know how to show it.

I have learned that when I am upset I have
the RIGHT to be upset.
But I don’t have the right to also be mean.

I have learned that the true friendship continues
to exists even when distance sets you apart
And this is also true for true love.

I have learned that, if someone doesn’t love you
the way you want them to love you,
It doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all their heart.

I have learned that regardless of how good of a friend someone is
They will hurt you now and then
And you have to forgive them for that.

I have learned that it’s not always enough to be
forgiven by others,
Sometimes you must learn to forgive yourself.

I have learned that regardless of how much pain you are in,
The world will not stop its course because of your pain.

I have learned that the past and the circumstances
could influence your personality
But YOU are responsible for what you become.

I have learned that, if two people argue, it does not mean
they do not love each other
And the fact that they never argue it doesn’t mean they are in love.

I have learned that sometimes you should consider the person first,
And not their deeds.

I have learned that two people can look at the same thing
And see something completely different.

I have learned that regardless of consequences
Those who are honest with themselves get further in life.

I have learned that our life could be changed in just a few hours
By people who don’t even know us.

I have learned that when you think there is
nothing else you can offer,
When a friend needs you, you will find the strength to help.

I have learned that writing,
Like speaking,
Can soothe your soul’s pain.

I have learned that people you care the most about
Are taken away from you far too soon…

I have learned that it is difficult to figure out
Where to set the boundaries between being nice, not hurting others,
and firmly sustaining what you believe in.

I have learned to love
So that I can be loved.