Hello everyone ✨
This is going to be a bit lengthy so please bear it with me.
It's my hive birthday which marks my second year on hive! Honestly, I feel so overwhelmed at this point. When I got notified by 
It still feels like it was yesterday when my onboarder was trying his best to explain everything he knew about Hive and its functionalities to me and I was still being very adamant and headstrong. I remember going back home and thinking extensively whether or not to join the Blockchain. Well, I think you know what my answer was in the end.
I do not hesitate to tell whoever cares to listen that I joined hive strictly out of curiosity. My onboarder didn't want to press too much on the fact that writers get paid on the Blockchain. He basically always brushed through that part with the speed of light. I feel he did this so that I do not come on the Blockchain with the mindset that I was working into a money fountain. I would say that my drive to know more and discover new things has brought me this far.
Personal Growth
I have come to realise that growing your account isn't all about accumulating so many tokens and becoming a whale– of course that is the ultimate goal. It also involves personal growth. I would say that hive has helped with my personal growth in more ways that you can imagine.
This reminds me of the very first article I wrote after my introductory post. I looked back at that article and I was amazed,hehe. I would describe the article as bland. All I did back then was throw words out without checking to see if they made any sense or not . My writing skills have improved a whole lot in comparison to when I began. Here is the very first post I made after my introductory post. I laughed so hard as I just revisited that post.
One very significant lesson Hive has taught me is the importance of patience and consistency. To be successful, one has to take things slow but steadily. The thought of getting it all at once sounds really magnificent but one thing about "getting it all at once" is that you would easily miss out on the vital lessons to be learnt and experiences to be gotten.
It took me months before I realised that there were actually different types of fish in the hive ocean. The only type of fish I knew was the whale until sometime ago I got a notification that I had become a minnow. Currently, I am a very healthy minnow swimming and exploring to the fullest.
I have gotten a few badges from hivebuzz but one badge I am really proud of is the 1400 comments badge which I got at the end of June. By the end of today, I'm certain I would be reaching the 1500 mark, hehe. This particular badge gives me some form of solace and reassurance that I am an active Hivian.
After the six months study break I took, I returned to a 58 reputation and about 150HP in January. Ever since then, I've been constantly trying to maximise my activities on the blockchain and the increase in my hive power is evidence. I feel really glad about this increase:)
Community Engagement
One other lesson I learnt is the value of engagement. You wouldn't be seen except if you make conscious efforts to get seen. The mistake that many people make is the fact that they write very brilliant posts, submit the post and then wait with arms akimbo for people to come around. It doesn't work that way. The Blockchain is a vast ecosystem and one can't cover the whole ecosystem in two weeks even if they tried. Engaging with others and creating meaning bonds with people is key.
I watched a video sometime ago by nonsowrites and he mentioned the fact that the bonds made on hive go way beyond the borders of hive. There are so many amazing people here and trust me when I say that interacting with such people can be a very nice feeling. I can't count the number of times that I have been in a terrible mood but logging on #leothreads or reading a post from any of my favorite authors for just a few minutes would drastically change my mood. This is as a result the positive energy emanating from people here.
There is no way I would mention my engagement on hive without mentioning dreemport. I'm feel really glad that 
One other vital lesson I've learnt is that making hive a chore wouldn't get you far. I try as much as possible to make at least one post a day but there are days when I feel utterly devastated and on such days, I give myself the break I deserve. Many people keep posting streaks but one little piece of advice I would give is that, when your body and mind are tired, you should take a break.
Staying Neutral But Having Fun
This doesn't apply to everyone but to me, it does. Staying neutral on hive and in the world at large saves you from a whole lot of hassles and trouble. Different people have their reasons for taking a side but staying neutral is more peaceful and peace is one of my optimum priorities. Also, I try to have an much fun as I can.There are so many diverse fun activities here and I try my best to always join in the fun.
Generosity and Cheerfulness
To reiterate, there are very many generous and amazingly cheerful people here. There is no way you would visit their post and not end up happier than you came.
One community I discovered that wholeheartedly supports generosity and Cheerfulness is the free compliments community. It's indeed a place to be.
Being generous and cheerful takes nothing aways from you. If we analyse it closely, you would realise that hive itself is built on generosity. "Give and you shall be given".
In conclusion
I try my best to impact positively on the hive ecosystem. I judiciously follow the rules as I am not just creating a safe space for myself but for every other person on the Blockchain. Hive has become a part of my daily life; one part that I totally enjoy. Don't get me wrong, my journey hasn't been all rosey but the fact that I keep coming back even when I hit rock bottom just signifies that love Hive.
I am very much grateful to everyone who has in one way or another contributed to my journey here on hive 
Ps: the above list is totally inexhaustible. I would basically tag each and everyone if I had the liberty. There are lots of other individuals who have supported me in one way or the other and for this, I am utterly grateful to you. I hope that my mention of a few specific names only does not offend or exclude anyone.
I wish to attain greater heights and with the right amount of consistency and perseverance, I will. Cheers to two years on the blockchain🥂. And cheers to many more year 🥂.
With love, wongi ✨
