One Year On!
Who will celebrate with me and help me blow out my solitary candle?
I am submitting this post as my entry into the SAM (Something About Me) challenge organized by my friend 
This time last year I decided to take tentative steps into the world of crypto. I donned flippers, snorkeling gear and waded in, not knowing what to expect. The waters were murky with technical talk and currency chatter which threatened to leave me hesitating on the edge of the pool. A sea of doubt swirled around in my head and left me wondering if I'd be able to survive.
Technology and Cryptocurrency are not subjects I have gravitated towards in the past but I have attempted to get a handle on the currency side of things as the weeks and months have progressed. My main interest was having a 'buoyant' platform with which to share my love of photography and art and this is what helped me dive into deeper waters and then stay afloat when the currents became rather choppy.
A year ago the atmosphere was expectant, excited and energetic and it was a lot of fun as a minnow swimming upstream with fellow steemians who seemed to be heading in the same direction. Same direction. Different goals. We were an eclectic group of global goal setters and it was very stimulating indeed.
When I wasn't swimming along happily on my own, I veered into uncharted waters making myself known to other minnows, red-fish, and dolphins and occasionally a whale would pause and give me a helping hand by encouraging me when I found myself treading water or floundering from time to time.
I'm an independent sort and am always reluctant to ask for help due to fear of inconveniencing others, but steemit is not the place for people who are used to paddling their own canoes. We all need one another and if pride, insecurity or even envy prevents us from being a team player then we are the loosers in this environment.
My loyal friends and followers have kept me motivated and 'on track,' and I am very blessed to say that some who welcomed me on my very first day are still swimming alongside and encouraging me on a regular basis. I am so very grateful to each and every one of you. You make me feel that together, we can sail the seven seas of success and reach enticing shores that we have only dreamed about before.
My steemit friends have come 'on board' for the ride and despite the downward trend of the dollar we are skimming across the ocean with determined mindsets to help influence our own destinies. Like the two guys in the boat (below) I look back to see who are still following and sadly, many have swum ashore. I understand why. I really do. Because I too, have looked longingly at the safe harbours of my pre-steemit existence and wondered if I'd be better off digging my reluctant toes into the sand, drifting along aimlessly, happy enough in my world but lacking vision, drive and purpose.
But this is not an option for me. I'd be forever scanning the horizon to see where those I'd left behind were going. And I know I'd catch many a glimpse of a motivated minnow, a determined dolphin or a wealthy whale surfing on waves of intense pleasure and power because, when given the choice to sink or swim, they swam.
I know I have a tendency to be idealistic but when I pause to consider some of the major challenges I have faced, dealt with and overcome during my lifetime, I'm proud of myself for still finding the optimist within.
Sure, there is a lot of negativity circulating in steemit but I have 'chosen' to look to role models who have 'chosen' to nurture a positive outlook. It's easy to find a school of fish ever ready to relay their fears and frustrations but I don't take the bait. I don't want to get hooked and reeled into negativity, so I feed off positive reports and plans.
I'm all for balance and we need to be kept in the loop where facts and figures are concerned. And I'm well aware that I'm not doing myself any favours by not staying informed and I really do appreciate those who passionately postulate when their cause has credence. And at the end of the day, we all speculate as to the outcome of steemit.
But there is a danger to manipulate speculation to suit our present state of mind, be it negative or positive to justify moving forward, going backward or remaining stagnant. That is human nature. I don't want to be a washed up starfish dumped unceremoniously on a lonely island, with nothing but wishful thinking and broken dreams to accompany me into the eventide years of my life.
And if steemit goes belly up, I want to live the rest of my life knowing, I did my best. I'm referring to life in general now......not just steemit. Knowing I did my best will allow me to feel the calming waters and gentle ripples of reassurance as I lay back in my rocking chair and reflect on my life whilst blowing bubbles defiantly at the challenges that sought to overwhelm me.
What will 2019 hold for all of us? We can only guess. But can we shape it significantly by our attitude and fortitude? Absolutely!
Will you be here this time next year to help me blow out my 2 candles? I hope so. My wish is for all you hard working steemians to celebrate with me when the tide turns.
I asked this question for my own benefit as well, in order to keep me accountable for the words I have spoken in this post. If I leave, I'd better have a darn good reason to leave. And my darn good reason will be based on my own individual set of priorities and capabilities, just like everyone else's.
It is inevitable that the cashless society will come. I truly believe that, and this is another motivation for me to continue to be active and engaged on this platform called Steemit. Cyrptocurrency is here to stay. I want to be prepared mentally and physically for this eventuality.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRUDEE! And Huge thanks to all who have invested in me with your friendship and support during these past 12 months. You are the salt of the earth and I wish you all the very best.......whether you stay or move on.
THANK YOU FOR VIEWING. HAVE A GREAT DAY.