"... even when I have pains ...."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one." 

 

"... whenever I decide something ...."

 

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision." 

"... you shouldn't go through life ...."

 

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

"... life sometimes gives you ...."

 

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"... making a 'living' ...."

 

"I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'." 

"... regardless of your relationship ...."

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life." 

 

"... you can tell a lot ...."

 

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."