Ten things I've learned in 2012

Take them for what you feel they're worth. They were hard lessons to learn, and rather then elaborate on each of them I'll just present them here as generic fortune cookie wisdom:

1. Just because you've known someone for a long time does not mean they are your friend. That said, true friendships are mutual efforts.
   
2. I can try to prepare for future hard times, but I must balance that as to not be an expense of being happy in the present.
3. All things are temporary. Good times and bad. But temporary doesn't necessarily mean short term.
4. Pining over "could-have-beens" only robs you of future opportunities and potential. Learn from the past, but don't dwell in it.
5. Just because you are good at something doesn't mean you have to find a way to monitize it. In other words, if you really want to turn a hobby into a career, you'd better be damn sure you have another way to relieve stress.
6. I was happy to help people realize their dreams, but now I know it's been at the expense of realizing my own. Time to change that and accomplish something big.
7. I've learned to turn hate into pity; it takes effort to understand them, but it gives me the upper hand.
8. Greed and ego has stolen our children's future and burned our ancestors wisdom. Our generation will be remembered with both awe and contempt. I've realized that my calling is to make sure I can help retain some of that old wisdom for my forebearer's survival and happiness, and I realize that I can do that through story.
9. "The way things are done" are just someone's opinion, and they only matter if they sign your paycheck. Opinions are only as strong as that person's resolve and the consensus of their followers, and/or if they make sense.
10. Cutting your losses is not the same as giving up. The trick is differenciating the two, and you do that by being honest with yourself.

No resolutions for 2013, but I am going to change for the better. HAPPY NEW YEAR!