I read this blog at the turn of the year and I loved it! It made so much sense to me and I went back several more times because I learned something new with each reading. I found myself nodding along as the author talked about the lessons she had learned over the past years. I asked for and received permission to share this piece and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Instead of sharing it as one piece (as it was originally posted), I have decided to split it into two parts; Part 1 will feature Chichi's lessons on Choices and Life and Part 2 will focus on Relationships and Faith. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

Thanks for reading and stay inspired!

Onyih

What I learned in 2012

By Chichi Ugonma E.

Some of these lessons have been in the making for years, others happened as ‘eureka’ moments and through epiphany.  The most important lesson however is that “there’s no constraint on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we erect ourselves” Ronald Reagan

On Choices

I've learnt that it is our choices rather than our abilities that show us who we truly are.

I've learnt that human beings are the same by nature but separated by habits.

I've learnt that the last of one’s freedom is the ability to choose one’s reactions to people’s actions.

On ‘The Power of You’

I've learnt that the human spirit is the most potent force in the universe, stronger that any atomic bomb or any nuclear power station.

I've learnt that every battle is either won or lost in the mind.

I've learnt that nothing is literally impossible to the person who won’t give up.

I've learnt that you’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.

I've learnt that the greatest satisfaction in life is doing what people say you can’t do.

I've learnt that my strength does not come from the gym, running and racing but in pulling myself up whenever I fall.

I've learnt that knowledge and wisdom are two separate things; one makes you a living, the other builds you a life.

On Life

I've learnt that the rain sometimes falls on those who deserve the sunshine the most.

I've learnt that every great success story starts out in defeat, humility and humiliation.

I've learnt that there’ll always be good and bad days. Some days, you’ll wake up feeling on top of the world. Other days, you’ll wake up feeling the world is on top of you.’

I've learnt that the saying “you reap what you sow” is completely inaccurate.  You always reap more that you sow. Thus, if you sowed wind, expect to reap a whirlwind.

I've learnt its okay to ask and more importantly, accept help. You can’t do it all, you don’t know it all and you can’t have it all.

I've learnt to forgive everyone everyday, and of everything.

I've learnt that it’s more important to be kind than to be right.

I've learnt it’s better to do right just because it’s right and not necessarily to expect ‘the right’ results.

I've learnt it’s impossible to be truly happy and self-centered at the same time.

I've learnt that no matter the difficulties you face, somebody out there has it much worse and no matter how good your life is, somebody out there has it better.

I've learnt that our problems are not really the problem. Rather it is the way we carry our problems that is our problem.

I've learnt that life doesn't necessarily get better, only our perception of it does.

I've learnt that the only exercise some folks get is jumping to conclusions, running down their friends, sidestepping their responsibilities and pushing their luck.

I've learnt that haters must hate. Sometimes people hate you not because of who or what you are, but because they love to hate.

I've learnt that the people who judge you the most are those who know little or nothing about you, where you have been and what your life is all about.

I've learnt that falsehood can never approximate the truth simply by virtue of repetition. A lie is a lie even if everyone believes it. The truth remains the truth even if no one believes it.

I've learnt to say exactly what I mean and mean exactly what I say for those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter. (Dr Seuss)

I've learnt it’s better to be a diamond with a flaw than to be a pebble without a flaw for a person without vice is almost certainly without virtue.

I've learnt that good always triumphs over bad for ALL things work together for good, everything happens for a good reason; good times become good memories, and bad times serve as good lessons.

Read more of Chichi's thoughts here.