Contest hosted by @inuke.
Today marks my 84th day on Steemit, and to be honest I learned from scratch. I had minimal knowledge of tokens, alternative coin, or blogging. I am a true beginner in everything and that has been an interesting experience.
With the help from a contest here and there I have made some friends and that led to others. (We all love a good contest!) I have been fortunate to have found some very nice people who have upvoted my posts on a regular basis, along with encouraging my writing.
Initially, I felt that writing, community, and the no drama aspect was my main attraction to the Steemit platform. As mentioned, I never wrote on a blog before but I have written short stories, won scholarships and enjoyed writing creative non-fiction. I love photography too, so this platform seemed to fit.
What made me stay on Steemit
My answers have changed over the past few months, and after seeing whale flagging wars, people acting like high school kids, bullying and acting as if their wallet meant more than integrity or principles I have now progressed past the point of feeling that I am here for the community.
As much as I would love to say that I want to be here for the community and the very few people that I trust in this whale/dolphin tank --- I would have to say at this point I am staying on Steemit to improve my writing. I have found amazingly talented people who have guided me to open up my soul and improve my writing skills. I love them to pieces.
I am sort of beyond posting who these people are that I am interacting with all the time. Maybe because I barely got a response from my last posts from some, but also I really do not feel I want to go through a long list of people that may not really care. I have posted every day for 84 days, anywhere from two to four posts, and have raised no more than $2 USD each. For some, that is the typical and they may be discouraged but I encourage you to stick with the platform. I am a fighter and I have the belief that this momentum will change for the positive.
I may not ever get the attention of a whale, although I have for a second and then that one disappeared. So let me rephrase, I may not gain the attention of a whale again, but if this platform changes I am definitely sticking around for the rewards of all the work I have poured in, even if it has only been my time and endless writing.
Through my writing I have found my mental state improve, because I am not polluting it with television or constant social media on my iPhone. I actually think of ways to be creative by cooking, photography, or the next subject I will be writing about. My mental faculties are quicker and I am able to communicate more efficiently. Overall, Steemit has been a great platform in personal growth and expression.
What is driving me
I would like to say that Steem is driving me, and my hope that this funding would take me to the stars. In reality, a part of me still feels that this product is funny money. I would like to blow smoke up my own butt and say that we are all going to be millionaires. Yes, some of us may be and most likely that will be the ones that got in early like the whales and fatty dolphins. If the money comes my way, I will be grateful but there is that nagging feeling that for someone who lives in the United States this may not become a reality.
That said, I feel that I can help others through this platform and support those who live in a sustainable community or in a third world country. I would gladly devise a plan to combine forces and give to those in true need. That sounds a bit unselfish and maybe unlike the capitalist society I am programmed to live and breathe in. I honestly have the hope that whatever may come for all of us, I will be there to help those in dire need.
If I do strike it rich then I will have some amazing meet-ups with the people who helped get me here, and assist those that need help. I will not throw a clear win of investment profitability away or consider huge payouts a bad thing. However, I will not sell my soul or harm anyone in the process. I will always hold my integrity.
My goal for the near future would be to win a major writing curation and maybe that will take me a bit to figure out, but I am up for the challenge. The bottom line that truly drives me is improving my writing skill-set to the point where I may write that book everyone (most of my life) has told me I should write. Ultimately, that is not a bad goal to have on a blogging platform. Peace.
For more information on this contest, click here.
I haven't been on much to see you writing, but I do look forward to it. I seen the one... That was pretty hot :p In my opinion I don't think you need a whale to spot you. Your writing content is good, your skills are good. Maybe you need the right readers? I don't know everything that you have done in the past to get where you are today. All I know is getting the right people is the advancement (what I've seen so far). You are amazing and I believe you will get there with hard work and dedication :) xx I believe in you.
Dear @foxyspirit, I appreciate your honesty and I miss seeing you around. "Hot" LOL
I thank you so much for your kind words regarding my skill and content, I am honored.
Your words of amazing touch my heart and I am grateful for people like you in my life. Hugs. xx
I will be around more soon, I promise. A couple events are coming up within the next couple days that I can write about. You are an awesome and amazing human being. Keep at it! I am grateful for you as well. xxx
Cool! So happy you will have some cool stuff to write about and I’m
So touched by your kind words. Thank you! xx
This an awesome well written post! I enjoy your writing and your honesty! Keep up the good work!
My dearest @rwedegis, thank you so much for your support and kind words. You bring honor to me and I cannot tell you how much these words of encouragement mean to me. They mean so much. Hugs and love to you. xx
Oh @eaglespirit, you have such beautiful energy, honesty and truth! It is and honor to support you. If we can't toast each other with a jello shot in person maybe we can do it virtually one day!
Dear @rwedegis thank you so much for your aeeet words. Yay virtual toasts! Woop
I very much understand the discouraging forces that you speak of. :c)
I am glad that you have been able to resolve those feelings to focus upon the positive and how Steemit is helping your writing (which is great). ^_^
I am sorry that many of us aren't always there to give your works the praise that they deserve. Its partially our faults and partially reflective of the limitations of the Steemit platform - not truly encouraging of fostering and maintaining friendships (its more conducive to whale wars, sadly).
I can say with certainty that you have a powerful personality and that you are difficult to forget. :c)
Shine on.
My dear sweet @pathforger,
I am not sure if there are discouraging forces as I guess as humans we see things keep repeating themselves on all platforms and a person just wants to smash skulls! LOL
Okay, okay .. maybe that is a bit extreme and my Celt came out just then, however, it can be quite frustrating.
I have resolved some things yes, and there is no need to be sorry. I see the person you are making friends with and I see the connection right away .. you two are amazing! I cannot believe you are such a genius and even if you shine a small percentage on me .. I am grateful!
I am not sure what you mean about powerful and difficult to forget as if you are going to leave me! WTH? LOL
You better not leave me! Tears.
Love,
@eaglespirit
Dear @eaglespirit,
It is inherently discouraging to feel like you are talking to a wall. A wall that shows very little regard for whether your heart is filled with joy or sorrow. A vacant space within which precious little feedback returns to nourish your will to go on. :c)
Perhaps it was my turn to get a little overdramatic. ^_~
I do have a couple of truly great friends who each have their special traits - and I look upon this platform and see individuals of all levels of the quality spectrum.
You are right up there @eaglespirit. You spend so much time shining upon others that I do feel that you sometimes forget the light that you yourself emit. :c)
And I'm not worthy of the title genius. I am a little smart and a little creative - but so are you and many upon this platform. :c)
Oh! And I don't plan on going anywhere. Fret not! ^_^
Love,
@pathforger
Ian it me or do you always write like you are writing poetry? Hahahha
Poetforger methinks !!!
Yes you are very thorough in your assessments I can see that for sure. Methodical.
Awww I’m so honored by your kind words of light. I’m
Shining on you Path! Yes genius!
Okay glad you aren’t leaving me. Phew! xx
Heheh - Poetforger! Sounds like a nice nick right there. :cP I rarely delve into poetry - I find that the restrictions of poetry tend to restrict the message that I wish to convey. /:c) So I engage in slightly verbose comments and freestyles instead. :cP
You quite nailed me with 'methodical'. That is me to a tee and while it can slow me down - I grind on through. :c)
Leaving you? No way. ^_^ xx
Hey, so I am the same way about poetry and freewrite! I am so much better at it just coming out in a flow! I'm just trying to get a topic going. I find that i prefer creative nonfiction the best. some truths in there. xx Eagle
Best of luck for the contest Eagle,
You deserve everything good, spread your wings!
Thank you so much @spiritualmax, you are a true friend and I appreciate your kind words. I feel the same about you. You are so very smart and I support you just as much. Much love to you Maxy. xx
You're already an awesome writer Cass! You'll become super awesome/awesomer/awesomest. Lol @.@
We all have different outlooks and views on how Steemit has changed us and why we chose to stay. ^^ I'm glad that I've come to know you. You're a gal with a vision! You rock! ♥♥
Dearest @dawnsheree, thank you so much for always your kind words and support. I love that you are here for me and telling me awesome .. it makes my heart warm.
I am so appreciative you feel this way and I am so grateful you are on our side. Big hugs and love to you dear Dawn. We are in this together, so let's do this ! xx
:) ♥ I've always admired your wittiness Cass, both you and anj! ♥ I know we are going somewhere and we're doing something that'll have an impact in the future. Can't wait. ♥♥
Yessssss I hope so too!!
First of all, I like your name @eaglespirit , secondly, I love your content. I saw your post on @thesteemengine curation post, I must say you are doing great. keep it on.
Hey there @masterwriter thank you so much for liking my name!
I appreciate your words of support and thank you for coming by and reading my work. Blessings. xx
Hi @eaglespirit
You have received a 100 % Upvote! I am @gentasteem One of the steemit employees. Here I will always give upvote and comentar and help For steemit loyal users in Indonesia In order to get faster progress. If you want to join, Follow me @gentasteem at Steemian.com
To Mutual upvote, comentar and link promotion, please join the Steemit Community Indonesia group on Facebook.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=391437977950217&id=100012520534996&ref=bookmarks&_rdr#!/groups/148679145824251?refid=52&ref=bookmarks&tn=HH-R
Thank you so very much, this is so kind of you and I am appreciative of your support. Hugs and love to you all @genasteem! xx
Get me vote please
hey there, you may not get the attention of a whale, but you will be a whale to lead others. Stay true to yourself, keep doing what you do best =)
Always supporting and cheering,
Love
Reena.K
Aww thank you so much my dear @asianetwork you are so sweet to me and I can hug you for at least a minute or until you get uncomfortable ... thank you so very much for your support and cheerleading. Tears.
Love,
Casandra/@eaglespirit
people come in so many reason and motive, they may succesed of fail according their own accord. Your remain me of my own journey hear, still trying to survive and exists as a plankton!
yes they certainly do! yes survive! we must survive and make it!! xx
I accidentally started writing a book on steemit. I'm almost finished with it. Granted, it's freewrite, so it's like a first draft, but some people seem to like it. You just gotta get started and then really want to finish it.
As to the money...I don't view it as "funny money". Although occasionally I call it "fake internet money" as a kind of joke. It doesn't come easy though. I have more than likely spent far more time working on posts than I should have. I likely make more from trading the crypto I get paid from posts. So, for me, the combo works out.
And as for the community...ehh... I have yet to see it. I've met tons of awesome individuals, and some of those individuals can network pretty well in their individual groups, and end up getting things done, but I haven't seen a community here. I see a network of tons of individuals and groups, all working separately and occasionally together. There are groups that are their own communities, but I don't think there's a community as a whole.
Dear @geekpowered, I love that you say "accidentally," that is so cool in so many ways!
It appears as if we are on the same trek and I am so happy to meet someone else that thinks and feels
the same exact way. That cannot be easy to find. Seems like funny and fake are similar? No? LOL
I do say it as a joke too, as I am friends with people who are pretty far up there and cash out all the time, actually people who are not that high up there and cash out too. :)
We are agreed in unity my friend. Thank you for stopping by and at the very least letting me know that someone else out there feels the same as I do too. Big hugs. xx
No, it was really an accident. I started writing a short story based on an image, and it got away from me. I suppose in hindsight, perhaps I should have realized it had little chance of being a short story. It was based on the idea of a ship being caught in the time dilation field of a black hole. I should have guessed that it would take a while for the character to deal with all the issues. I likely even could have gone on a lot longer than I did, but I wanted to get on to the rest of the story.
Nice!!! Sounds amazing!!
I feel like Steemit is a place where to improve your spelling skills. With each and every word closer to manifesting the goal!
Thanks for sharing! Good luck in the contest!
Well I guess it would be ridiculous to think differently from anyone other than @spellmaker to think otherwise!
Each word ... closer ... closer ... closer
Thank you for reading and spending your magnificent time reading my spelling.
Blessings. xx
I guess it's already here - the spell. Each character having something to tell.
Trying to sell idea of ringing the bell. Drinkin the water from well.
Fountain of youth. Be silent or yell.
You have the truth inside you that swells.
In each and every cell.
You are the one.
Write your story.
Be well.
Get up from the ground if you fell.
Everything is here - even hell.
Got a bit inspired.
Have a great day!
Yay!!! I want that now since you kinda made orb foe me in a way. Lovely!! I keep writings like that ... I clapped after this was done and sort of heart you telling me too! It was awesome! I’m so appreciative and in awe of you. xx
Thank you! It is wonderful to write. To listen to what the universe is telling us.
Have a great day!
I agree, and the same to you!
good post, you've earned an upvote from me, a lot of dedication and effort deserve reward, Greetings from Venezuela!
hey, thank you so much! i really appreciate your kind upvote. yay Venezuela! xx Eagle.
It's interesting you're here less for the community aspect now and more to improve your writing skills. (I'm amazed at the amount and level of your posts by the way - It takes me an hour to write just one paragraph, so I wouldn't be able to post as much as you do). I also find the community aspect less of a reason to be here; I find myself commenting less and less (maybe to my detriment, I'm not sure) and am still trying to figure out what my place here is. I'm happy you seem to have found yours!
I really haven't @edward.maesen .. maybe it's me sort of thinking this through and processing? This was a good challenge for me because now I have this down in writing. LOL
As some have observed, I'm still finding my "niche." Bah!
Hope you are well and taking care of yourself. Eagle. xx
Yeah, seems like we are at a time where people are looking for their genuine self-expression... All is well with me and wishing you the same!
thank you so much and hope you are hanging in there ... how is the energy up by you?? :)
The skies are very active... and deer have been appearing frequently in my backyard recently , including a rare visit of two male deer with antlers today. All's well. Blessings.
Oooooooo ahhhhhh so lucky!!! Blessings
You got a 3.11% upvote from @buildawhale courtesy of @eaglespirit!
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Thank you for participating in the contest inuke’s story writing challenge #5: What made you stay on Steemit?. Your post has been selected as an entry for the contest.
Winner announcement will be on 28FEB2018. Follow @inuke for the weekly story writing contest it is exclusively for minnows (new users).
Hey @inuke, thank you for this confirmation and I appreciate your acceptance of my entry! Yay
Thank you so much! xx