By Peyton Silversmith

As I've grown as an avatar, I've learned several things. Life is full of disappointments & people you trusted will sooner or later let you down. That often those you love will love someone else & there's only one way to fall; fast & hard.

I've come to find that out of thousands of smiles, it takes one to truly touch your heart. I've found that words can be deceiving, but the truth always lies in a person's eyes. I've learned that everything can change in the blink of an eye & tears often come without invitation or acceptance.

I've also learned crying can make us stronger & there is never too much love to go around. I've learned that prejudice helps no one & that weapons don't hurt people, people hurt people. I've learned sticks & stones may leave cuts and bruises but harsh words leave scars. Or maybe as people fly around you, looking at your beauty, they are only seeing through you and have forgotten beauty is not just skin deep. I've found that every time you give someone a piece of your heart, it's a piece that you will never get back.

I've learned the past is meant to be put behind us & we can't dwell on regrets, for what's done is done. I've learned that trusting yourself is the first step & that forgiving is remembering that helps your own heart more than theirs.

I've found that family isn't always blood & everyone is someone elses hero. I've learned life is unexpected & that God, or if there is an SL God, he can do anything. I've learned some things aren't meant to be understood & that only time heals.

I've found that imagination is our greatest gift & that we are meant to dream for a reason. I've learned it is never too late to fall in love & that being "beautiful" is all on the inside. Mistakes are our best teachers & everything happens for a reason. Only then can your Second Life be lived to it's full & true potential.