There's no ex out there who I'm not friends with today, and I'm

Taylor Lautner, with a spirit both humble and generous, once said: “There’s no ex out there who I’m not friends with today, and I’m extremely thankful for that.” At first glance, these words may seem simple, almost casual, but in them lies a deep truth about the power of reconciliation, the value of kindness, and the maturity that comes from honoring the past without letting it become a prison. To remain at peace with those who once shared your heart is no small feat; it is the work of patience, forgiveness, and humility.

The origin of this wisdom rests in Lautner’s own life within the public eye, where relationships are often magnified, distorted, and judged by the world. Many would choose bitterness or silence after partings, but Lautner chose friendship. He understood that the end of romance need not mean the end of respect, and that gratitude could still flow where once there had been love. His thankfulness reveals that even in loss, one can preserve bonds of goodwill, turning what could have been enmity into lasting peace.

The ancients knew well the power of reconciliation. In the scriptures, Joseph, once betrayed by his brothers, later welcomed them with tears, saying, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” He turned betrayal into blessing, and estrangement into kinship. In the same spirit, Lautner’s gratitude reflects this eternal wisdom: that relationships, even when transformed, need not end in hatred. To be friends with those who were once beloved is to walk in the path of forgiveness, lifting the burden of bitterness from the soul.

History also shows us examples of those who transformed enmity into friendship. Consider Abraham Lincoln, who after the Civil War sought to reconcile a broken nation. He declared, “With malice toward none, with charity for all…” His vision was not vengeance but healing, not division but unity. Lautner’s words, though personal, echo this same spirit: that the higher way is not to sever ties with anger, but to bind them again with kindness, even if the bond takes a new form.

To be thankful for such friendships is to recognize their rarity. Most hearts cling to hurt; most tongues hold on to bitterness. Gratitude here is not only for the peace of friendship, but for the freedom it brings. For when you forgive and remain open, you release yourself from the chains of the past. You no longer carry the heavy weight of regret, and you give honor to what was once good, even if it has changed. This is the deeper wisdom Lautner points toward: gratitude transforms endings into beginnings.

The lesson for us is profound: let us strive to part with dignity, and where we can, to transform past loves into present friendships. Do not let the shadows of brokenness poison your future. Instead, cultivate forgiveness, respect, and gratitude, so that the people who once held your heart remain allies, not adversaries. Such maturity strengthens not only your own spirit, but the world around you, for every friendship preserved is a spark of light against the darkness of division.

Practical action is clear: reach out to those with whom you have parted, if peace is possible, and offer words of kindness. Speak of what was good rather than dwelling on what was broken. Honor the past without being bound by it. Above all, cultivate thankfulness for the lessons learned, the joy shared, and the growth gained from every relationship. In doing so, you will live not in bitterness, but in freedom.

Thus, Taylor Lautner’s words stand as a testament: that to remain friends with the past is to be liberated from its chains, and to be thankful for it is to live with maturity, peace, and grace. His wisdom teaches us that endings need not be wounds, but can become foundations for deeper understanding and renewed harmony.