Realizations & Questions

I've done a lot of soul searching lately, and I've come up with a lot of answers which have been painful, but needing to be realized.

¤I've realized that I'm much harder on myself than I need to be.
¤I've realized that I self defeat myself before I even get started, which inturn makes everything I do meaningless.
¤I've realized that intent IS everything.
¤I've realized that the few close friends I have, I can count on to be there for me no matter what.
¤I've realized that no matter how much I want a magic wand to make my life easier, I have to go through these challenges to continue to grow into the woman I'm meant to be.
¤I've realized that just because I care for someone doesn't mean they have to care about me.
¤I've realized that there ARE a few things in this life that will truly make someone happy, no matter what the circumstance may be.
¤I've realized that just because I hate something or someone, doesn't mean everyone else has to too. Same goes for if I love something or someone.
¤I realized that no one has to see things my way, or even accept the fact that I see something the way I do, but that if they try to force their opinion on me, that isn't someone I want to around, no matter who it is or what it's about.
¤I realized that when you love someone and you feel that pain in your heart when that person is upset, is when you know it's true.
¤I've realized that I don't need sex, or to be in a relationship. Infact, to be in one right now wouldn't be healthy for me... How am I supposed to give myself to someone if I don't even know who I am?
¤I realized karma is 100rue, and if you haven't seen it first hand yet, keep your eyes open.
¤I realized we are free at every moment in life, but we don't know what to do with the freedom.
¤I realized life is short and not to be sorry for your feelings, because then you're not being true to yourself.
¤I realized that no matter how many times you tell someone you love them, you still have the rest of your life to prove it to them.
¤I realized that you can't expect anything from anyone but yourself.
¤I realized that people change, and their opinions, and its not healthy to hold a grudge against them.
¤I realized that by lingering on the past or pondering your future, you're not making your present any better.
¤I realized that beauty is actually MORE than skin deep... beauty lies within the soul of the person.
¤I realized life will never be perfect, but that it's imperfections are what make it beautiful.
¤I realized that everything around us is a teacher. Learning, however, is optional.
¤I realized that everyday is a test to prove to the world what you're capable of.
¤I realized that a friend is somene you can be your true self with. You dont' have to pretend you like everything they do, nor do you have to apologize for your feelings or thoughts

Theres WAY more, but thats all I can think of right now... but with those realizations come to light a few questions...

°Everything happens for a reason, but will we ever find out what those reasons are? And by the time we do, will we care anymore?
°Everyone has a reason for what they do, but most people don't know what their reasons are. How can people live their life so in the dark?
°For the people who are my friends, why? What do you gain from me? And/Or what do you feel you're giving to me?
°For the people who aren't my friends, why not? What don't you like about me? And/Or what do you want from me that you're not getting? And/Or what did you try to give to me that I didn't accept?
°Why do you stick around, even through my rough times?
°Who in the world came up with abuse and why weren't they killed before it got out of hand like it is now?
°Why isn't there enough help in the world to make sure that the people who need to be cared for, are?
°Why is it that no matter how many friends and loved ones you have, no matter what you do, you're going to die alone? (Yes, I realize this is morbid, but unfortunately true... you can't take friends and family with you when you go)
°Why do some people get pleasure out of causing other people pain? And why do those people in pain give the others the pleasure of seeing it?

Again, there's more, but that's just skimming the surface...