It's my Third Steemit Anniversary tomorrow.

Can it really be three years since my Steemit account was activated and I hit Post on my first article on this blockchain?

Holy shit, what an amazing, breath-taking, and fulfilling journey this has been.

As I’ve mentioned in previous two Steemit Anniversary posts (First Anniversary, Second Anniversary) July 5th will be forever celebrated as my own personal Independence Day. I’m not one to wear jewelry but every July 5th I will wear my Steemit ring all day. Inside it’s inscribed with my Steemit name and Alarm Clock Dawn to remind me of the gravity of it all.

As I re-read my first two anniversary posts I can’t help but reflect on how much Steemit has changed since 2016. I’ve changed as well. Change is to be expected, Steemit was (and still is) an experiment after all. Yes, there have been ups and downs, but the positives have far outweighed the negatives. To say I’m forever grateful is an understatement.

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“Surround yourself with the dreamers, and the doers, the believers, and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.” Edmund Lee

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What have been the positives for me?

We humans are a spectacularly dysfunctional bunch. We're hardwired to be tribal and thrive on social connection even as modern life tries to lure us ever deeper into the comfort and security of seclusion. It takes bravery to put ourselves at risk and dip our toes into the frigid pool of the unfamiliar, but we must. Each time we do take those kinds of risks we are rewarded, even if we don't immediately realize how.

Each and every one of us are the sum of the people we interact with the most. I love my tribe. It's comprised of nerds, out-casts, geniuses, and out-right revolutionary thinkers and I would want it no other way.

For me, the most valuable aspect of this platform has always been the opportunity to connect with some really incredible, hyper-intelligent visionaries. I look at my network now and among them I see some inspiring people and even a few pioneers in the blockchain / cryptocurrency sector. These connections have transformed my life in wonderful ways.

Most of you know my backstory.

Before Steemit I was a struggling author from the Midwest working in a cubicle for an insurance company with little more than a lot of hope and some big dreams. In three years’ time all of those dreams I had back then were realized.

Every. Single. One.

And I don't say that to brag but to remind you that it can be done, even by someone who was beginning to fear it was too late. If not here, somewhere else.

Thankfully the wellspring of dreams is only limited by our imaginations so reaching for them never has to end. As a matter of fact, the foreseeable future is filled with new goals, more dreams, and opportunities than I ever could have imagined. I’ve learned more here in three years than all of my years of formal education and I say that with no hesitation or exaggeration.

This community is infinitely more valuable than most people realize. If you’re not feeling that way you owe it to yourself to take a step back and ponder it for a moment. Even when the price of Steem is low and things seem dismal there is great treasure to be found here if you’re willing to put in the work to discover it. One of the main ingredients of success is making an effort to connect. I hope that connection happens for each and every one of you. It will transform your life beyond all measure.

People, never be afraid to try something new if your heart is telling you to go for it....even if you feel you’re too old....not talented enough....not smart enough...[insert any other excuse you can think of HERE].

Just do it. Leaps of faith sometimes have the uncanny ability to lead you to everything you ever wished for.

Thank you all so much for your support these past three years! I will never forget it.

Eric

(Gif sourced from Giphy.com)

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*I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.

Alarm Clock Dawn, one of the first full length novels published on the blockchain, and the book that started it all for me can be found HERE. Or Click Here to read it for free on the Steemit blockchain

My book on meditation, The Perfect Pause, is priced at $12.99 (paperback) and $4.99 (eBook). Buy the paperback and receive the eBook for free!

Let’s Keep In Touch

www.ericvancewalton.net