Lessons this queen has learned throughout 2017 will ultimately make 2018 catastrophic for some of you out there

This may seem a bit shady, but hey, if you don't like shade, stop reading here!
2017 was just a bad year, and just some things learned:
1) I had to finally realize that even though you help others through their benefits/fundraisers/financial gains or losses, they will suffer from amnesia when the shoe is placed on the others' foot and not lift a finger to reciprocate;
2) People aren't afraid of Karma's reign of terror because they might think they are above it all;
3) Trust is an honor that should be handed out like a bag full of money; only give it if you can afford to do so because not many people are worthy of trust these days;
4) Never ever let anyone hold the cards in your life, because they will deal you down the drain when they feel they can get away with it;
5) People will not give you what you deserve, even if you have put your blood, sweat and tears into it; they will only do so when they assess what they can get out of you first;
6) The nice gestures you bestow on others, you might as well keep it for yourself. Although I've decided I'm not going to stop giving to the worldwide causes - battling cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, etc. ... just not bending over backwards to aid those who've let me down personally;
7) People can be selfish, even the ones who you trust with your life;
8) Don't put all of your eggs in one basket, because those eggs won't survive the fall off the wall;
9) Never let anyone - anyone at all - know the ideas that are in your head for any plans you want to accomplish in the future, because when you least expect it, they will pass those ideas to others to use as their own. Not only that, people have big mouths (it's just an inevitable mistake people make, sometimes without even thinking), and before they know it, they've betrayed you and have placed you behind the eight ball;
10) NOW THIS is probably the most important lesson I've learned: Do it like Dominique Devereaux and Alexis Carrington Colby ~ stop being a Krystle Carrington or Claudia Blaisdell ("Dynasty" fans will understand the references) ... Payback is a b&@ch, and it's time for Bernadine to step back up and take the reigns ~ go after what I want and don't let anyone, anyone get in my way ever again!!
11) I've learned something I've known for years, but had forgotten ~ People aren't promised to be in your life forever, so appreciate them when they are. I lost a really good friend when he passed away a few weeks ago; a person who I was able to talk to about things that a lot of others can only guess how we as African-American gay men feel on a daily basis. He was always there to talk with; but I've learned, sadly, that there will be those friends in your life that will take you for granted and feel as if they can stop talking to you and just pick up where you left off months later. That is a misconception that some keep in their minds to make it easier on them; sometimes when you let a friendship dissipate, it's close to impossible to resurrect like no time had passed.
Alas, a few good things have happened in 2017:
1) I was elected to the city's school board, so people must at least trust me and know I will do my best;
2) My drag life of Miss Savannah Georgia took off, thanks to my very hard work and some supportive queens who have been there for me. There are a couple of queens in the drag community who absolutely let me down, and I guess it has become evident that if Miss Savannah can't kiss their butts, they won't help her at all. C'est la vie;
3) I learned that if you are forced to recreate yourself, do it! I went back to school to add Digital Marketing to my long list of skills in the industry, and although it was tough, I learned just how tough I am;
4) I learned some valuable personal lessons, which I can implement into 2018, because I will no longer play the fool;
5) I have discovered who actually has my back, and just because I haven't confronted a person on their backstabbing, doesn't mean I've just let it slide or I am oblivious to their deceit. After all, we've all heard about revenge being best served cold, right?!?
6) My fundraiser, the Pink Prom, is still going fierce and continues to be one of the most successful LGBTQ fundraisers in New Jersey!
Now people, this may seem like I'm being a cold-hearted ice queen who has let the woes of the world get the best of me. But just the contrary ~ I've just learned the lessons, how best to maneuver the pitfalls and am ready to do battle the only way I know how or should have known how.
I am a strong person, and there's just no more time left to let things trample over me. Anxiety and depression are tough things to overcome, but I'm no longer sitting back and letting it take the reigns. I continue to struggle with anxiety, but that is okay; just something I have to live with on a daily basis. But I will never ever let myself fall prey to depression ever again.
I put this blog on hiatus a little over a year ago for a couple of reasons (not important to go into right now). But I've come to realize that because I did that, some may have assumed that I was ripe to take on the role of victim. Sadly, it's pretty clear what happens when a person assumes.
So if anyone thought that I was content with the status of "victim", well my friends and enemies, you have assumed wrong!
So as it goes, my lines to live by, from this moment on: Do it like Dominique, battle like Alexis, drag it like Savannah, and burn it down like Bernadine!
Oh yeah, and Happy New Year, y'all!!