Thanks to @stellarbelle for suggesting compassion as a topic to write in today's post aimed at helping people succeed on steem. It's a great idea and over the past decade I found this makes a big difference when working to grow your blog.
Let's Define Compassion
Doing a search returns:
Compassion (n):
Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
That's pretty much what we all thought. Like putting yourself in another person's shoes and seeing life from where they are coming from. Having concern for other people that may suffer or in an unfortunate situation we are separate from. We should show compassion in our daily interactions. Not only in person but also online in places like this.
We can show compassion in our interactions online much easier than we may in person. This is true if you are an introvert like myself. Many people online don't peg me as one because of how I conduct myself online. However, every person who knows me in person will tell you it's one hundred percent the case.
I'm INTP-A if anyone was wondering (the -A is for assertiveness).
Being Compassionate Around Steem
Whether you are using SteemIt, Busy.org, or another platform to access the steem blockchain and read posts, this next section applies. This is not looking for sad posts but having compassion for whatever you are reading. Most people put a lot of time and effort into their posts. Leaving a one or two word comment is not showing compassion or gratitude for their hard work. We should take the time to expand upon their original ideas and contribute to the conversation they started.
I sound like a broken record on commenting but it's important. My goal with these Tuesday/Thursday posts is to help everyone on steem. With the focus on people new to content creation and blogging. There is no reason for me to hoard my decade plus experience in blogging from everyone. Make sure you are taking the time to write out a good comment. Chances are if you are reading this word for word you are one to leave better comments around steem.
Compassion When Writing
I write to give value to at least one person every day. My poetry is to move people, my technology posts are to educate, and these are to help you stay motivated to get your blogging to the next level. That is compassion. Compassion in my writing. As I've said many times, if I was in this for the money I wouldn't be doing this. I would trade in and out of Bitcoin or doing anything else other than blogging. By doing this I give value to at least one person who reads my posts.
I am not a big player on steem and you might not be but that's all right. You don't have to be huge to help people but you must show compassion when you write. This will happen by thinking of the person spending their valuable time reading your work. If they are taking the time to read what you have to say you need to be compassionate and honor their time. They could do anything else but they picked your post to read what you have to say.
Giving value to your reader is showing them compassion.
You Never Know
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.”
Plato
I'm saying this due to what I've seen in the past. I have seen no one being mean or attacking another person on Steem at the time of writing this but I believe it is still good to say. As the quote above states, we can never know what someone is going though in their personal life. We only see what they create and share with the rest of the Steem universe.
When reading a poem or story that eludes to the authors feelings this is more important. We don't know how bad it is for them based on the content. We need to take the time to put ourselves in their position before making a comment or reaching out. If you don't agree with what is being said then it might be best to leave your opinion out of the comment section. It is better to say nothing than to make the situation worse for the creator.
Always ask, "Will my comment bring value to the author any readers".
Keep On Giving
“No one has ever become poor by giving.”
Anne Frank
I stated this idea in the post titled "You Need More Patience", the first in this series aimed at helping people get into the correct mindset when starting their blogging career. Giving is always more important than receiving. When we hop on a post and give a one word comment, it looks like we are just trying to get upvotes and curation rewards. It also shows you are not giving your all.
You need to give expecting nothing in return. Until you can spend your day on steem giving to those who work hard and not caring about the rewards you will never win. You may have short-term gains but people are keen on fakers. This will turn on you before you know it and you will end up being worse off than if you had just gave for the sake others, not yourself.
This mentality is the slow route to gaining on any platform but is the only method to hold those gains. Whether it be upvotes, comments, or followers, anything other than the grind will fade as the dew on a hot summer's morning. Build your blog buy giving to others. Not even giving back cause this implies that you got something first. Give your value and ask for nothing. People will respect you and the growth you have will be solid and firm, like building a house on the rocks and not the sinking sand.
Hey Thanks!
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or feed back you know where the comment section is. I'm also always open to direct messages on all the platforms out there so reach out! Oh, and if you have a topic you'd like me to cover please let me know and I'll add it to the list.
<< J. R. >>
There's not enough compassion and engagement especially on Steemit. It's up to all of us and those with more steempower to upvote the good on steemit and create a culture of giving rather than follow for follow or upvote for upvote.
Amazing article, resteemd, upvoted, and followed!
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Thanks!
Steem is a strange platform due to it being very transparent about the money earned on a post. However, the same thing happens on self hosted blogs and other places like wordpress where a person is trying to make a name for themselves.
You are right, anyone who has even can upvote a post to an extra 100th of a dollar needs to really make sure they are using that on posts that bring value.
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I love this, @jrswab. Compassion is the golden rule that guarantees peaceful coexistence in human relationships. I have come to know that no one can be too compassionate, because the more we give, the better we become. Thanks for pouring out your heart for us to learn.
Please consider writing on ' forgiveness'. Much love. @greatness96.
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Thanks for you comment and your time @greatness96 !
I'll add forgiveness to my list of topics and be sure to tag you in the post when I do.
<3
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Somebody give this guy a up-vote.
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hahaha glad you liked it mate!
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Hi @jrswab,
My age on steemit is less than a day. I am glad I came cross your post as I am trying to learn about steemit. I like what you say as it resonates with how I think.
I have read this Post and it sounded that the person writing this post has been suffering quite a bit. Yet they use their experience as an example to educate others, Post.
I am not sure how many people are keen on fakers. Yesterday I came a cross a post about someone that has been swindling money from people, yet he apparently has many followers and supporters! You can find that here
As I said I am new here and I have been trying to learn more about all of this, so I can't really give a solid opinion nor I can assert the truth behind anything.
Thank you for the inspiring post.
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In reply to your section about people not being keen on fakers. I do think they are but that does not mean that someone won't bee and won't start calling them out. The post you linked is perfect for what I'm talking about. Even if only one person sees through the facade they will blow their trumpet loud enough that others will start catching on. Once that happens it's only a matter of time until everyone knows.
Thanks for you well thought out comment!
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Thank you for your reply as well
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I love the topic. Compassion is a missing art. It was what seemed to be in the culture of steemit. That's why I signed up. :)
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I agree, it's much more common here than other places. As we grow that might fall away so I hope anyone who reads this is reminded of what makes steem great.
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well it's up to each individual in the community to not let that happen. Not to mention it starts with ourselves. :-)
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Exactly!
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I think people have to realize that the more we help other users on Steem become more valuable the better it is for all of us. More value= bigger price of Steem. Plus not to mention ever bigger gain from helping others and that is creating some amazing friendships and relationships.
That is, in my opinion, the best thing about Steemit. You get a chance to create friendships with people from all around the world in here. Some people just fail to see that as their only goal is profit.
Great post my friend and a great message to all of us here on Steemit.
HELP EACH OTHER. :)
Have a great day. :)
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Thanks for the great comment! I agree, the more we help each other the better steem will be.
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If I could upvote you with more than my tiny 5 cents I would... great read..
This is the type of message that is much needed not only on Steemit, but everywhere we go. There is the tendency to think of "what is in it for me" all the time, but the truth is that we only grow when our focus is on "what's in it for them" and this is what you are talking about.
Bringing value to the community and taking the same to not only share your own thoughts and ideas, but to listen to others as well.
I won't rant for too long, just wanted to congratulate you on this post, I'm going to keep my eye on your blog from now on.
Cheers mate
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So true! Hey 5 cents is a nice upvote for many minnows so never feel ashamed :D
Thanks for your comment <3
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You might just be one of the kindest people I've met on steem and it makes me so happy that I joined!
About "giving", yes. We don't. We hold back even though we know we won't lose anything and will actually help another, maybe put a smile on their face. We should. This is the kind of post that makes a difference. Damn right it did to me. <3
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Thank you so much for your comment. It's these kinds of responses that make it worth all the world. Keep the money as long as people are being impacted in a positive manner. If you ever need anything please get in touch.
<3 J. R.
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You're amazing!
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awe thanks :blush:
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Well written J.R!
I have picked your post to be featured in this week's Comment Challenge. Comment Challenge #8
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super cool! thanks for the feature <3
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you deserve it <3
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Thank you !
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Excellent! Glad you materialized from the ether as a result of my recent post on "Taking The Gloves Of In The Steemit Thunderdome". I am increasingly on the lookout for other people developing SERIES related to the process of blogging and Steemit survival. Yes, giving is an extremely important element of the process. I have learned that giving (both on and off of Steemit) is more an issue of "putting stuff out" into the universe WITHOUT expectation for gain, but that the gains will come naturally. Giving without expectation is the name of the game. My recent perspective shift into making the development of my writing craft that PRIMARY goal on Steemit has GREATLY propelled me to the next level, right in line with this concept of giving. I believe that you and I have similar interests (blogging,, poetry, etc.) and so I have put your profile through my increasingly selecting "follow standars" filter and decided to indeed follow you. Keep up the good work...
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great comment! I've seen your stuff and it's good. Lots of great potential there. If you ever need someone to bounce and idea off of or just want my opinion as a decade long blogger please let me know!
Thanks for the comment and the follow! I am honored you have found this post of value <3
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Yes, I like your offer for bouncing some idea. If you have any general feedback on my "Steemit Success" feel free to email me at : [email protected]
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As far as compassion goes I think Steemit might be the best place on the internet. In other online "communities" I've visited there seems to be so many hateful people. I noticed immediately that for Steemit users that does not seem to be the case. Nine times out of ten, even if the poster and commenters do not agree, they conduct themselves in a civil way. In fact, I'm secretly dreading Steemit becoming more popular, because I know that the welcoming attitudes we have here may degrade.
I guess because the internet gives anonymity people think this gives them license to be awful to each other. That's a real shame. The internet is an amazing tool we can use to spread knowledge and support, and we all need to remember that when we interact with others. Steemit's slogan could totally be "The nicest place on the web". In fact.. I might have to write a post about it. haha
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This is why I use my name (jrswab is my initials an last name). It helps me stay focused that my work and reputation are on the line if I don't conduct myself in a good manner.
I also hope that as steem grows it does not get toxic. That is up to us to some degree. The people who bring toxicity will come more and more as steem get more popular but those of us here now need to upvote only good content and keep the feeds uplifting.
Thanks for you comment!
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Agree on that keep on giving part. And it's always the hardest thing to do on a constant basis. Again, a great post. SUrely undervalued!
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Many thanks! Hope to keep bringing value to you as long as I'm here!
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Yes please!! Let me have a snort of your post xD
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thank you for this insightful article. Truly enjoyed the read! Very encouraging to read this as someone who loves to give and only stArted blogging recently. Still finding the best way to give. Thanks again!
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It can be a struggle when it seems like no one is reading. Keep working hard and you will make progress. If you have any topics that you'd like to see me cover as it relates to blogging please let me know <3
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Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated! As for topics, sure, I will have a good think about it!!
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Hey @jrswab again, what an incredible post. Your words couldn't have come at a better time. I feel like outside of the STEEM ecosystem our world is incredibly polarized and your quote here really hit home for me:
I think it's so important to think about that before commenting on anyone's work regardless of where it has been posted. It's incredibly easy to be negative and down putting online where you can be somewhat anonymous. However, if more people had compassion and the ability to put themselves in other's shoes I think the internet would be a much kinder place. That's the bigger picture I took away from your post.
I have found this community to be so accepting and fun. I really attribute it to you and others like you who are more about building the community than profiting off of it. After being on here for only a few weeks I can see that this place is very special.
Thanks again for another wonderful post, and for reminding us what is really important in life.
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Thanks for taking the time to write such a well thought out comment. My experience blogging as led me to this mindset that you talk about. Steem has a lot of that and it's great.
I do know that as time goes on and the platform grows it will start to become less and less common. So as someone with this kind of experience blogging I want people who are here not to know that this mindset pays off.
Else we'll end up with a lot more of the take culture than the give culture.
Thanks again! Glad you found value here <3
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I loved this line -
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.”
Plato
Botty likes J.R. :]
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thanks bot! be sure to send me your next post! <3
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Being in the US it is easy to forget how good we have it here compared with the rest of the world. I sometimes forget that Steemit is more an international platform then my other social media timewasters.
I wrote a post yesterday about the Success Of Steemit Depends On You that ties in nicely with your compassion theme. To borrow an entirely overused cliche..........Be The Change You Want To See In The World.
As Steemians we are all in the same boat. We all want to be successful here and want steem to be valuable. But that only happens if we engage and interact with each other. Steem is a currency but the real value of Steemit is the people who make the community.
Ok enough cheesy feel good stuff. Keep up the good work homie. Followed to see more.
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Thanks for the well thought out comment! It reminded me of another saying that goes something like:
"The only thing wrong with the world is me"
If we focus on being the best person we can be, both on and off steem, the world will be greater for it.
Looking forward to seeing you around steem!
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Nailed the take-home message right here. I think once you see every upvote as a personal gesture, this concept is easy to master. I think it's definitely a discipline, though. Begin by fully reading and understanding what each person is trying to communicate, respond with compassion, and then you can't help but feel rewarded before you ever see an actual reward payout.
Great thoughts, my friend. If more people had this attitude, Steemit would be a better place. I think I'll bookmark this post to share with new users in the future. There's much to be learned from the attitudes you've outlined here.
Thank you for sharing, and I look forward to more great content. I'm headed over to check out the "You Need More Patience" post you referred to. Keep up the good work!
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Thank you for your kind words and awesome comment!
This mentality is not hard to master and even after 10 years of blogging I still have to make sure my thoughts are in check and I'm doing this for the readers and not for myself. I hope you like my other post as well. That is the one that kicked off this whole series that I do on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
See you around steem!
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I love the topic of your post, it was a great suggestion. that was one of the things that attracted me to steam it was that it seems like compassion was in its culture.
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This is a great post! Thank you for your insights on the topic.
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Thank you so much! It's always good to hear that hard work has shown through the depths of steem :D
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I've read through several of your latest posts. I love that you do this, trying to help folks see their way through some of the misconceptions and pointing them in a better direction. First noticed you through a resteem of someone else I follow - a poem from earlier today I think...
I came looking for a new poet to read. I found a philosopher/teacher. Another benefit from the steem blockchain! Serendipity abounds here. Pleased to meet you!
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Thanks for the support and motivation! I hope I can keep bringing value to your feed. I can be all over the place but I think I'll be sticking to tech, steem motivation, and poetry for now :D
edit: wow thanks for all the resteem's! <3 I'm checking out your stuff now.
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I only resteem what I perceive to have value! Thank you!
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<3 many thanks again!
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