Belief is the magic key that unlocks your dreams. - Orrin Woodward (American author)
Believing in something is always the very first step to success.
In about a month I'll be celebrating my second anniversary on the Steem blockchain, and as always when milestones come closer, you tend to look back and recap the journey with all its ups and downs.
Those of you who've been here since the very beginning will know what I mean when I say that it's been quite a ride. We've been surfing the high and the low tide, and learned that if you don't paddle out on the rainy days then you actually don't deserve to be out there on the glassy ones.
What I can tell you is that - no matter how many times I got barrelled - I've never been more attached to Steem than I am today.
And that's why I'd like to do the next logical step and officially become a Steem Ambassador.
@surfermarly believing in Steem
Why I want to become a Steem Ambassador
I've been following the activities around the #promo-steem movement for a while now.
During the closing dinner at Steemfest², you were sitting right in front of me, Matt @starkerz. The fact that you were wearing a surf t-shirt definitely called my attention, but besides that it was our following conversation which has been kept in my mind since then.
You explained to me that your mission - under the umbrella of #promo-steem - was to add value to Steem through promotion. You told me that no matter how efficient your curation strategy was - the most effective way of increasing your own return on investment was spending your time on helping Steem to grow.
We didn't talk very long, but you already got me after a short while.
Now the time has come that I want to become part of your project.
The passion thing
Everybody who has been following my activities on Steem for a while knows that I'm one of these 'all-in or nothing at all' persons.
I've been all-in on Steem for almost two years now.
There have been few days since the 24th of July 2016 without loggin in to Steem and engaging with the community. I've been submitting almost 12,000 posts to the Steem blockchain so far, which is an average of ~16 posts per day. My reputation is at 72.5 and more than 9,000 accounts are following my daily activities now.
But these are just numbers.
I can credibly assert that Steem has changed my life in many ways.
What started as an experiment has now become an essential part of my existence.
Uncountable amazing people have crossed my path during these two years, and luckily I've met a lot of them in person already. Your stories, knowledge, sense of humor and passion have had a considerable impact on my own journey - whether you're aware of it or not, you've have shaped it.
It's been the mutual inspiration which has always fascinated me most.
No matter where you come from, no matter where you're going, Steem is a common denominator that automatically connects people from all backgrounds, cultures and belief systems.
Steem is a global connector!
I opened up my presentation at Steemfest² with the question if Steem was able to change the world and concluded my speech with the affirmation: YES, Steem is able to make a difference!
@surfermarly presenting her Steem based charity project @dreamsoftheocean
Give and take
Ned Scott's presentation at the very first Steemfest in Amsterdam lit a certain fire for Steem inside myself which has never been extinct since then.
@ned described the Steem eco-system as a self-sustaining circle, where those who contribute value to the system are rewarded for it in return. I loved the idea of a network that finally was able to give something back to those who create and share value on the internet.
It is what is newly described as 'the internet of value'.
While social networks that are part of centralized systems belong to the internet as it was invented twenty years ago, decentralized applications - dApps - such as Steemit.com are part of a futurable form of the internet.
Thanks to blockchain technology and tokenized environments built on these blockchains, the internet won't ever be the same again. Our lives won't ever be the same again.
@surfermarly's vlog on dlive.io
If I had the chance to become a Steem Ambassador, I'd like to further promote the idea of the 'internet of value'.
I'd like to build a bridge between Steem and the real world that surrounds me, helping to get more people in touch with cryptocurrencies in general and Steem/Steemit in particular.
Actually this is what I've been doing already during the past two years - yet, I haven't been focussing on the local aspect so far. A recent meeting with the creators of @steemitcanarias (the two brothers @kilianparadies and @cauac) has openend my eyes for the potential we have here on the islands.
While we were very few when I joined Steem back in July 2016, the Spanish Steem community on Canary Islands has been growing very fast during the past months.
Vamos!!
@surfermarly with the two brothers @kilianparadies and @cauac on their Mini Meet-up in Las Palmas (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands)
The grass is (not) greener on the other side of the fence
I'd like to be completely honest with you since I firmly believe that accountability is one of the most important assets of a Steem Ambassador.
As I mentioned in the very beginning of my application, the past two years have been quite a wild ride. I guess any of the 'old dogs' here would affirm that right away. There's been drama and there's been tears.
Yet, I believe that a healthy relationship is never static and perfection doesn't exist. We go through ups and downs, success and failure, cheer and frustration, love and anger. That's what progress is all about.
What makes it become a real and long lasting relationship is the fact that we're never torn apart, no matter what.
The fact that I get emotional on Steem from time to time proves that I care. It furthermore guarantees you that I'm not a bot after all :-)
My principle: WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get)
There's no difference between the @surfermarly you know from the internet and the one you may run into in the real world.
I'm passionate about the things I love, stand up for what I believe in, enjoy to engage, interact with and help others. If you can't reach me online, then I'm probably trying to catch some waves. The Ocean enables me to balance the big highs and deep downs of life. It helps me to focus.
Authenticity, loyalty and trust are the core values that matter to me and which are the basis of any deeper relationship I enter.
An ambassador is a representative. Hence, the role of a @steem-ambassador implies responsibility, accountability, best practice and role modeling as a representer of Steem, including the above mentioned values.
I'm pretty aware of the challenge and would love to face it :-)
Thanks to everybody who's been supporting me on this journey so far, thanks for your time and appreciation, your loyalty and trust. I hope I can give back twice as much :-)
Yours,
Marly -
PS: For further information on the Steem Ambassador program please follow @steem-ambassador, check the #promo-steem tag and visit https://promo-steem.com founded by @starkerz and @stephenkendal and implemented by @anarchotech.
Thanks for your valuable time!
This blog was launched at the end of July 2016
aiming to provide stories for open-minded
people who enjoy living on the edge of their lives,
stepping out of comfort zones, going on adventure,
doing extreme sports and embracing the new.
Welcome to the too-much-energy-blog!
We create the future we wanna live in.
Amazing and very inspiring article @surfermarly, keep up the great work & see you at Steemfest³!
Such a Great steemian to have applying to the @steem-ambassador program! I look forward to the community approving you and seeing how your positive influence affects the #promo-steem community!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, Matt!
It'd be a great honor to assume the role and make some noise under the umbrella of #promo-steem :-)
Bring it on!! As far as I can see you are already doing a great job! This is just another, great, decentralised way to showcase what you are doing!
I'd love to tread that new path together with you and all the other #promo-steem enthusiasts!
Outstanding application Marly - so glad to see your application tonight. It will be hugely valuable to have such a passionate promoter of Steem involved in the project. I love your ideas and can't wait for the community to approve this....best wishes Chris @cryptocurator
Thank you so much for your kind words, Chris! Hearing it from you means a lot :-) Crossing my fingers for the community's support...
Have a great day!
I cannot think of anyone else more suitable for the role :)
Thank you so much for your tireless support, Ash!!! :-)
My pleasure :)
And yes, I'm tired today - lots of cycling trying to burn my beer belly away!
Hahaha, I can't even imagine you with a belly to be honest...
ha!
I'll do a picture when it looks better!
Why did I know that you'd be replying this....? :-))
:P
A predictable, time-buying answer - sounds a lot like me!
But seriously, who wants to see a beer belly!
Thank god youre never likely to win an Oscar...it would go on all night ;-)
However, I can think of no one better to promote this community than your good self.
Hell, if you released Surfermarly coins, I'd buy them!
Best wishes to you on the next part of your Steem journey :-)
Hahaha OMG - this must be one of the best comments I've ever received in my blog so far! :-) Thank you, @nathen007!
Lucky us, for a Hollywood career I'm definitely too old :-D
Nice to see you're finally on the ball and resteemed the 'jerrycoin' post from which I referenced lol !! You're ruining my attempts at topical humour ;-)
Hope you have a brilliant weekend, stay smiling :-)
Maybe as a Steem Ambassador I couldn't be so political anymore, so I quickly used the opportunity to resteem this one before it's too late...:-D
It's Friday - how couldn't we be smiling? :-))
Have a good one, too!
Hello, Thanks for such a great application and all the fantastic work you have been doing to increase awareness about the steem blockchain and its potential applications!
We at #promo-steem and @steem-ambassador have reviewed your application to become a Steem Ambassador and we are pleased to say that we would like to propose your candidacy to the community per the Application Approval Process HERE!!! :)
In order to proceed we would like to know that you are happy to follow the Steem Ambassador Responsibilities and Guidelines outlined HERE & HERE.
Please respond below with your positive response and we will proceed to propose you to the Steemit community as a Steem Ambassador!!
STEEMON!
Yeeeeew! I'm happiest you decided to propose me as a potential future @steem-ambassador to the Steem community - what a great news.
Of course I agree and would be pleased to witness the following steps :-)
Much love, Marly -
It will be really great to see you in the ranks of the Steem Ambassadors. I look forward to adding your name to the guild engine.
Aaaaaw! That'd be great!! :-) Hearing it from you means a lot, thank you!
You are a wonderful Steem ambassador already. Totally support making it official.
Thank you so much for your outstanding support, Stephen!!
A bit off topic: Did you see Italo Ferreira's 10 in the Semi Finals at Keramas?? I thought I was dreaming, when this happened just in front of my eyes.. :-))
Hey I caught it in the replay. It would have been amazing to see it live. Did you see any of the surfing at Ulawatu? Julian Wilson got 2nd place that brought him back to the top of the world rankings. I hope he makes world champ.
I was in Uluwatu on the very first day of the event and waited from 10am until 1pm (while the start was announced for 7am). Then I decided to move on and visit some other sights. Half an hour later the competition started as I saw on my phone then - that was bad luck though :-D I was incredibly happy for Willian Cardoso to win since he demonstrated a monster show at Keramas. Only due to bad luck he didn't enter the finals. So I think winning Uluwatu was more than deserved... Obviously Julian Wilson would deserve winning the whole thing - besides being an incredibly talented surfer he's an extremely nice guy :-)
Gosh, I'd love to travel more and witness all of those competitions around the world...!
I think you are a perfect fit for the job. I should hope you get approved
Thank you so much for your kind words and ongoing support, Steve!!!
It'd be really great if the community approved me for the role :-)
Hola @surfermarly!!
Sería un placer tener una embajadora como tú en España.
Aunque acabamos de llegar a Steemit, trabajamos con @steemitcanarias en la promoción de esta maravillosa red social desde hace tiempo.
Estamos a tu disposición para cualquier cosa que necesites ;)
Saludos!!
Sin ustedes - y la idea de hacer más ruido en Canarias - probablemente no hubiese enviado mi solicitud hoy, así que muchas gracias por el apoyo y: esto es un trabajo en equipo y siempre me veo como una pieza de algo más grande. Todos para uno y uno para todos!
Vamos!!! :-)
First of all congrats in advance for the coming big day of completing 2 years :)
The jorney of all this time is indeed very great and many memories that just comes up in the mind is sth worth for all those times.
That is great to know that you are involving fully in the project it sure is woth it.While I have not been here that long but i am here almost a year :) and I do really have to agree that within that time Steemit has really opened a new door for me and it is indeed one of the UTURN of my life.Well I am really looking forward to the glory of Steemit in the coming days .Yes there are some issues but there are in everything. We just have to go on and be with the flow.
Wish you all the very best in the comig days of your life and you sure are an example to us and an inspiration as well.
Steem On .
Thank you so much for your ongoing support @rehan12!! I know you're always there, and I really appreciate that.
Go with the flow. This.
Steem on!
Thanks for your words Marly!
We're sure that you are the best person to be a #promo-steem ambassador in Spain.
Good luck!!!
Saludos!
(Congrats @steem-ambassador team!!!)
Mil gracias, chicos!!!
Our dinner was really inspiring, so I'm pretty sure we'll be able to make a lot of noise here on our beautiful islands...:-) Let's conquer Canarias!
I’m sure they will agree to have you on board. ❤️
Thanks for your lovely words! I hope so..... :-)
It's the best news I could get today. I'm very happy for you, Steemit and all the Steemian in Canary Islands for the decision you made, I'm pretty sure you're the best Steem ambassador we can have.
You have my support and, of course, @steemitcanarias is with you. Vamos!!!
Thank you so much for your support, Kilian!!!
I think we'll be able to move a loooot here on Canary Islands - including more of our nice meet-ups :-) Vamooooos!
Wish you all the best! (But being honest: what would they do without you? ;-P)
Thank you so much for your lovely words!! :-)
I think you would be an amazing Steem Ambassador and I think it will fit you perfectly.
It gets me really excited to see where Steem is going and that we have the perfect people to keep on improving this platform.
Wish you all the best @surfermarly
Thank you so much for your kind words and big support!!
I hope I'll be able to meet all of your expectations :-)
I would like to support you... Great application for #steemitambassador! You deserve...
Thanks a lot, Kenny!!! I'm happy you enjoyed the application in such way :-)
You've got my vote!
Sounds great! I have the same motive.
Thanks for your support, @crystalhuman!!!
I strongly support you to be steem-ambassador.
hopefully we can work together as soon as possible.
best regards from me @herryazmi11 [@steem-ambassador]
Awesome!! Can't wait :-)
Thanks for your support @herryazmi11!
Welcome my sister.
This is a very real and inspiring post you've shared here.
I admire and am truly grateful for people like yourself who are so involved and invested into the Steemit community!
I look forward to reading more of all you're doing with Steemit soon 😏
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your kindness, @lifetipsbysn!!
I hope I'll be able to meet the community's expectations :-)
What exactly would a Steem Ambassador do exactly?
I am somewhat new so I don't know all these things yet. Some of the Drama you have mentioned I have seen and overall, I think that is a good thing. Drama existing means that there exists parties who care enough to get flustered over something.
I just started using Steemit, but I want Steemit to grow so that staying here adds value to my life, not end up becoming a burden or a hinderance.
Well then welcome to Steemit again, @paparodin! Good to see you again in my blog and thanks for stopping by though :-)
I think drama - to a certain level - can be even productive... it's like a thunderstorm. Afterwards the air's much cleaner :-)
Well I'd like to refer to the following page: https://promo-steem.com/ambassadors and furthermore add that in my opinion a representative of Steem is one that builds a bridge between the Steem community and other (local) communities, groups, networks, people. An ambassador represents the brand and its values and helps it to grow.
Thanks for the warm welcoming. I have been using these past few weeks to the best of my abilities and there is much more to come.
Drama, stress and uncomfortable situations are what allows us and our creations to grow. That being said, not all sources of drama and stress are productive, but let us leave that to the side for now.
Looked over the page quickly. I could do that, but I haven't been around here long enough and lack a lot of knowledge to do the part, so I really should let someone else do that. You seem nice enough, bring the passion and the experience.
What could I do to help you?
Aside from voting for you.
Well everything at its time... Most of the time we can't go from zero to hero, and the things worth having don't come easy. Be patient and consistent - then you'll be able to come very far on Steemit :-)
There's gonna be an official post from @steem-ambassador asking for the community's approval of my application. So if you followed this account, you could vote for me then :-) Would mean a lot!
I'm following your account now. Let me give something back...:-)
Much appreciated!
I will follow @steem-ambassador then and keep an eye out for that voting post. Any idea how many people will apply?
Oh wait... you're based in Germany?!? That's my home country :-)
Hallo, eins, zwei, check...:-D
Huh, klein ist die Welt! Ja, ich komme aus Deutschland, geboren und aufgewachsen!
Aus welcher Ecke hier kommst du ursprünglich?
Das ist ja cool!
Ich bin in Marburg (Hessen) geboren und aufgewachsen. Und Du?
Ich komme aus NRW, Duisburg. Nicht der schönste Ort zum Leben, aber so habe ich viel Luft nach oben :D
Right ,i agree. Steem does changes ones life.
Steem has changed the world and it continues to change lives everyday for people like you and I or even the ones in 3rd world countries . I see it as an opportunity to better your life . Happy early anniversary
Thank you very much @journeyoflife!
Absolutely, Steem is able to make a difference, especially for those people whose established financial system doesn't offer them enough opportunities.
Yes I agree Steem does changes ones life.
I commend your efforts @surfemarly and I must confess you are so pretty, the John Maxwell quote caught my attention.
You have my 100% vote !!!
Thanks for your nice compliment and support @adejoke16!! Too kind :-)
Another nice project here on steemit! Abo on :)
Great! Thank you :-) Followed you back after reading the words sport & nature in your profile description...
Btw: Coole Bilder aus Fuerteventura - ich wohne nebenan (Lanzarote) :-)
Danke ;) Nach Lanzarote hab ich es leider wieder nicht geschafft. Von Morro Jable wären es 1,5h mit dem Auto nach Corralejo bis zur Lanzarote-Fähre gewesen. Ich hätte dort gern mal eine Chilifarm besichtigt, aber nur für einen Tag ist das schon recht viel Aufwand. Auf den Kanaren zu leben wäre definitiv auch mein Wunsch :) Bisher kenne ich dort ja nur die karge Wüste.
Sehenswert ist auf jeden Fall auch Teneriffa, falls Du es noch nicht kennst. Das ist die Vielseitigste der Kanaren. Aber wenn Du eines Tages ohnehin auswanderst, hast Du ja viel Zeit alles anzusehen...:-))
So, ich muss jetzt ins Wasser - trotz Nieselregens (war so lange nicht). Ist ja zudem Internationaler Surf Tag!
Sehenswert ist auf jeden Fall auch Teneriffa, falls Du es noch nicht kennst. Das ist die Vielseitigste der Kanaren. Aber wenn Du eines Tages ohnehin auswanderst, hast Du ja viel Zeit alles anzusehen...:-))
So, ich muss jetzt ins Wasser - trotz Nieselregens (war so lange nicht). Ist ja zudem Internationaler Surf Tag!
Nein, ich kenne bisher nur die "Aloevera-Wüste", wobei mir dort das Grün schon etwas fehlt. Hm ja hoffentlich schaffe ich das irgendwie. Bis dahin gibt es dann vermutlich einen Einwanderer-Stop für Deutsche🙄.
Viel Spass🤟🏄♀️! Mit dem Neopren lässt es sich sicher trotzdem gut aushalten...so ein bisschen Regen ist ja schön. Dann sollte ich gleich auch noch auf mein iSUP...pump it up.🌊
Wenn mir nicht auf der Fahrt zum Strand ein Reifen geplatzt wäre, hätte das ein richtig guter Internationaler Surf Tag werden können...:-( Tja, so habe ich den Nachmittag auf der Straße verbracht... Morgen neuer Versuch!!
Ohje...kannst aber froh sein, dass nicht mehr passiert ist :/! War auch nur noch im Kneippbecken ein bisschen abkühlen und fotografieren. Dann morgen ein "gemeinsamer" Surfday ;-)!
I am your new follower and glad to hear your such a great steem Ambassador Application. Hope it will better for All. I am looking for your future post to know about this program and progress and happy to join it.🙂
Thanks for following my blog @murtaza78!
I'll be definitely talking more about the program soon :-)
Hallo und herzlichen Glueckwunsch und natuerlich viel Erfolg als Steemit Ambassador!
Herzliche Gruesse von einem Deutschen in Thailand, hehehe
Tom
Vielen Dank, Tom und viele Grüße nach Thailand! :-)
Sounds like you'd be a great ambassador. Keep up the good work, Marly.
Thanks a lot, Dave!! :-) I'll try to do my best....
You did a great job. Always working with the promotion of steem in your own ways. I hope your become a steem ambassador.
It's is the community's hands...:-)
Thank you @wa2qr!!
OMG! I think you will be adorable Steem-Ambassador. Your voice has power and you're look great!
Regards,
AnggrekLestari, Steem Ambassador from Indonesia
Such a brilliant application @surfermarly. Welcome aboard, and thanks for powering up the guild! Mega cheers. :-)
It's so amazing to meet other steemians, it gives us more confidence in steem blockchain. ☺
wellcome @surfermarly
Regards @starlost @steem-ambassador indonesia
Hello, @surfermarly. You are so inspiring! I love this application and hoping to see you soon in the team!
Good evening from Indonesia. :)
I'm a new Steemian .. I've only read a few of your posts .. and that's enough to sense your sincerity and passion about Steemit!!
Yes. I am for you getting into the Steem Ambassador guild :)
All the best @surfermarly
Thank you very much for your encouragement and welcome to steemit, @efongym! I hope you'll enjoy your time on the platform :-)
pretty sure i will :)