Congrats to your success @markwhittam , we have walked similar paths in life and now we connect here. What a journey it has been and I believe we ain't seen nothing yet... Looking forward to be a part of realizing the eco-community! I love this community soooo much and the feeling just keeps growing stronger all the time!!! :D
I remember when you took off and knew you were doing the right thing. It is my biggest regret that I kept my son in regular school when he was not thriving. He insisted on going to the alternative school in 11th Grade and I am so glad I agreed to let him.
Better still would have been to pull him out entirely, but I did not even think of that option. Your kids are very blessed to have you looking out for them. They are our gift to the future and our only hope.
I'm so glad to see your success and I'm having similar results in Bangkok where I live because it is inexpensive. A huge weight is being lifted off of me daily.
I am very happy for you and your loved ones! You have an amazing mind and heart and you deserve to support your family by what doing what you enjoy the most, helping others as well. I feel very grateful for meeting you and hooking me in to this platform. Such an inspiration! :) Inshallah next year I could write the same, at the moment doing creative handcrafts makes a living for me, so I am very happy for not having to work for the system also! :)
Peace and Love from down here.
Wow Mark this is truly Amazing!!!!! Since day one I knew you were one I wanted to support. The love and passion you have for your family and the desire to give the most well rounded education to your children has me at the beginning! I am so thankful that you and your family are at a very good standing financially and that you can began to accomplish your dreams!!! Your family is very inspiring and I am so glad to know you here on Steemit! I think these gestures that you are doing are really nice and generous! Many more blessings to you all~ 😊
You are absolutely welcome and it has really been a pleasure following and supporting you! It does seem more like years :D
Thank you for those kind words. I wish you all a Merry Christmas as well! It would be amazing if 2018 brings on a big year for me! I just want to continue to be a positive influence for the community~ 😊
Yeah Mark,
your life is very inspiring and a great example to others about how we can actively turn our lives around. It's a pleasure to know you for real and connect with your beautiful family, whom we all miss. I owe you alot of thanks for all the support you have shown me on here and for being the one to introduce me to this great community. Yeah to Living small, it definitely has huge benefits. Lots of love to you all and have a great solstice xxx
You just have to open that door to see what is on the other side. Sometimes we have to experience the bad to comprehend the joy in the good. I just started Steemit in June and have made A LOT of friends and I starting to accumulate a little nest egg. I have a ways to go but not giving up. Steemit has already changed my life....I am hoping it will impact my life and I will definitely pay it forward. Your story and life journey is inspiring. Great post and enjoyed. Merry Christmas.
You are one of my biggest inspiring people here on steemit.
I am so happy to hear that you are doing really well and so is your family especially when just a few months ago you were in a terrifying situation which turned out to be a stepstone for all you have created here @familyprotection project and for yourself and your beautiful family.
We used to own a huge house and had two new vehicles and just had everything going for my family. But we were not happy where we were, we fell in love with the freedom we found in El Salvador, and that is why we decided to sell everything and follow our dreams and freedom.
That is why I really enjoy your amazing posts and again so happy that steemit is treating you very well and I believe this is just the beginning.
This is so incredible! It just blows my mind that financial freedom is even a possibility because of Steemit! And obviously, your lifestyle changes have also been a huge factor. I am so happy for you and your family. Merry Christmas to all of you! :)
You are seriously to good for this world. But I love it. Actually my intention is about the same. If I ever have enough to sustain a good life I want to let others enjoy a good life as well by helping in any way I can. Have the greatest Christmas buddy, you and your fam!
Your story is amazing. Uprooting a family and moving is a hard job for whatever reason it is done. Our family did the same but within our own country as we needed better opportunities for our children. It was hard but definitely worth it. You and your family give great hope for many that one can make enough money here on Steemit to make those drastic changes if needed. Merry Christmas to you and yours and all the best for the new year.
Whats even more awesome is there are quite a few other such success stories of individuals and families making more money, living more free and much happier because of Steem/Steemit!
The potential here truly is revolutionary!
Its awesome to hear your want to start an Eco Community, as I can tell you first hand I can think of nothing better to do with time/money than build sustainable communities. I have literally fed hundreds of thousands of meals, educated hundreds of thousands on more healthy and happy living, while also sheltering and clothing hundreds of people. All on just dollars a day because sustainable community is so powerful!
Do you have any ideas where you want to build? I was actually looking at land in Portugal while I was there for a new project I want to do. Would love to help you or collaborate together.
I know there are tons of people that need/want $$$ but if you ever want to make any donations @gardenofeden feeds, educates, houses, clothes so many people every year and does it with less $$ than any operation I have ever seen!
What steemit is doing for people is unbelievable and I'm blessed to be one of them.
We are looking in the south, around the algarve area, it's a bit expensive here but it looks like it's meant to be now :)
I was talking with @everlove at steemfest about infusing or having some kind of the @gardenofeden influence in our eco-project, we and the rest of the world have a lot to learn from The Garden of Eden.
Giving is from the heart and that is what matters in the end. Is easy to take care of yourself, but little of us take care also of the others. So, for that small portion of love givers all the good to gather around them and be happy!
I enjoy your blog and do appreciate
The stories you write and dedicate
to Steem, your family or causes real
From you I learn and now I feel
A family of friends that love and care
With support uplifted everywhere
And so my Mark with a grateful glee
At Christmas - may blessings fill your tree.
Did you start out with no initial investment ? If so, good for you man, when you are completely down, remember to STEEM up, UHHH, I mean get up. Cheers!
Hi, no, I invested $6k when steem was $1.80 a while back, it's paying off now though, thank God for not being able to panic sell all your steem at $0.83.
I am glad to have been opportune to meet someone like you before 2017 runs out. Hearts that gives and treasure humanity itself with its values are worth more than all the riches the world holds. . Keep treading this road and live the life you and your family truly deserves. Blessings flow!!!
It warms my heart to hear that you can support your (simple) lifestyle with what you make here on Steemit. I remember our first conversation about Steemit in the parking lot of Max. That got my imagination started and now it is no longer just a dream for you and your family. The dream has become reality.
Your generosity makes you a roll modell in this community. May your Steem power continue to rise as you give back to the community.
Upvote, Follow and happy to say I share similar vision :) Thanks for being a good human being :) Its nice to have people on this planet like yourself, makes it enjoyable environment.
Really good news you made more working here than working in a common work that's important to hear because i can see a clear example that you can work in your profession and be a profitable blogger. Regards
Very inspiring to go from the very bottom to respectably successful. The truth is that anyone can make it. Intelligence or background doesn't matter. Hard work and good work will always result in success.
I really love the design of your posts, which made me following and upvoting.
I just started 27 days ago, It didn't change my life. But i hope it will.
🎢 It has definitely been one hell of a ride this year. With all the ups and down here on Steemit I am happy to see things finally getting moving and to be a part of the community during this time of unexpected abundance. It's great to see you and others giving back and now with our increased vote value we can help spread the love even further. The last few weeks have really been an early gift for all of us.
Even I started like 3 months ago, it still felt like I had been through a lot on Steemit. Nonetheless, it really can bring some income for us. With this plus some other freelance or part time job, I think we can survive very well. If we can use the Steem like btc daily, that would be terrific!
First of all, what strict laws are out there about homeschooling, i had no idea! You are one of the examples that made it with cryptos that others consider fraud and bubble, you are the exception to the ''rule'' really good job i am following you from now on as i had no idea about you till now
Dont include me on the random steem giveaway , i prefer you give it some commentators that follow you for a couple of time,have read other posts you made and have a relationship even just by commenting and not only cause of the ''giveaway'' thing
Hey @markwhittam , I'm here thanks to @kafkanarchy84 for resteeming this post. It sure is emotional reading your post. Our life is entirely diffrerent in a way Steemit changed our life, I hope for the better to all here.
With the price of SBD surging, you can't imagine how it effect me and my fellow countrymen. 1SBD now can feed a whole family (of 4 people) for a day. Imagine how it can change our life. Thanks to steemit. If it rise again it will help a lot of people particularly people from a small country like Malaysia, Phillipines and all.
I love how you have been successful and placed your children and the environment above your own previous lifestyle. These are hard, terrifying decisions, but so worth it. Once we unshackle ourselves from materialism... once we take responsibility for the education of our children... once we stop being part of the problem... we become part of the solution. But it takes heart to give up the known to enter the unknown, and I appreciate your sharing your success and am enthused that steemit has been so good to you! Ride the wave and finish strong sir.
The world is changing. The reason is not some mysterious, esoteric, or woowoo reason.
It’s because people are changing. People are rejecting the ideas and beliefs that keep us in the current consensus reality. A reality shaped by outside forces with outmoded ideas of what true power is.
This changing world is one shaped by the inner wisdom of everyday people put into action. Ignoring what is here and building new based on caring and creativity.
You seem to be one of these people described above. Since we aren’t neighbors and can’t exchange ideas over the garden fence, I’ll make do with a follow.
That's awesome man! I've been thinking of doing some Steem contest to also give away some that many here in the community have given to me!
Right! It feels natural to do so here on steemit.
Steem ON :)
Awesome gesture Mark. You're a big part of the reason we can say we have a 'community' here. :)
Keep up the good work mate and I hope you and the family have a great time over the holiday period. :)
Thanks Bro! means a lot to me :)
Congrats to your success @markwhittam , we have walked similar paths in life and now we connect here. What a journey it has been and I believe we ain't seen nothing yet... Looking forward to be a part of realizing the eco-community! I love this community soooo much and the feeling just keeps growing stronger all the time!!! :D
I feel the same brother!
Just keeps getting better :)
I remember when you took off and knew you were doing the right thing. It is my biggest regret that I kept my son in regular school when he was not thriving. He insisted on going to the alternative school in 11th Grade and I am so glad I agreed to let him.
Better still would have been to pull him out entirely, but I did not even think of that option. Your kids are very blessed to have you looking out for them. They are our gift to the future and our only hope.
I'm so glad to see your success and I'm having similar results in Bangkok where I live because it is inexpensive. A huge weight is being lifted off of me daily.
Great to hear you are finding freedom out there :)
More should dare to take the plunge, the waters warm everybody, come in!
Thanks for the feedback
Bless.
You're welcome - so happy for your success and watching for the future :)
I sure agree that more people need to get out. I have so many friends stuck in misery. It is on them though, and I can only give an example.
I am very happy for you and your loved ones! You have an amazing mind and heart and you deserve to support your family by what doing what you enjoy the most, helping others as well. I feel very grateful for meeting you and hooking me in to this platform. Such an inspiration! :) Inshallah next year I could write the same, at the moment doing creative handcrafts makes a living for me, so I am very happy for not having to work for the system also! :)
Peace and Love from down here.
Thank you, @purplemoon,
You are a kind person who I know IRL, you are doing great things for your daughter and I hope 2018 will bring you both joy.
Bless.
Wow Mark this is truly Amazing!!!!! Since day one I knew you were one I wanted to support. The love and passion you have for your family and the desire to give the most well rounded education to your children has me at the beginning! I am so thankful that you and your family are at a very good standing financially and that you can began to accomplish your dreams!!! Your family is very inspiring and I am so glad to know you here on Steemit! I think these gestures that you are doing are really nice and generous! Many more blessings to you all~ 😊
Thank you for all the support you have given us for what seems like years now:)
Your comments are always uplifting and very encouraging for us and we truly appreciate every one.
We wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and let's hope 2018 is @crosheille's big year :)
You are absolutely welcome and it has really been a pleasure following and supporting you! It does seem more like years :D
Thank you for those kind words. I wish you all a Merry Christmas as well! It would be amazing if 2018 brings on a big year for me! I just want to continue to be a positive influence for the community~ 😊
Yeah Mark,
your life is very inspiring and a great example to others about how we can actively turn our lives around. It's a pleasure to know you for real and connect with your beautiful family, whom we all miss. I owe you alot of thanks for all the support you have shown me on here and for being the one to introduce me to this great community. Yeah to Living small, it definitely has huge benefits. Lots of love to you all and have a great solstice xxx
Thank you Aishlinn for your kind words.
I'm happy that you joined and that you took to steemit like a duck to water :)
This place is great and it's a pleasure to share it with people I know :)
Thanks for helping to make the community here awesome! All the best to you and your family on your journey this upcoming year! :)
Wow, Thanks for the great compliment @denisechips
Happy holiday season to you and yours :)
You just have to open that door to see what is on the other side. Sometimes we have to experience the bad to comprehend the joy in the good. I just started Steemit in June and have made A LOT of friends and I starting to accumulate a little nest egg. I have a ways to go but not giving up. Steemit has already changed my life....I am hoping it will impact my life and I will definitely pay it forward. Your story and life journey is inspiring. Great post and enjoyed. Merry Christmas.
Steemit is changing so many lives for the better :)
We are a part of something really special, and everyone feels it :)
Merry Christmas
Bless.
You are one of my biggest inspiring people here on steemit.
I am so happy to hear that you are doing really well and so is your family especially when just a few months ago you were in a terrifying situation which turned out to be a stepstone for all you have created here @familyprotection project and for yourself and your beautiful family.
We used to own a huge house and had two new vehicles and just had everything going for my family. But we were not happy where we were, we fell in love with the freedom we found in El Salvador, and that is why we decided to sell everything and follow our dreams and freedom.
That is why I really enjoy your amazing posts and again so happy that steemit is treating you very well and I believe this is just the beginning.
Thank you @joalvarez
It feels like years ago now we had to deal with all that nonsense, which as you pointed out was a great stepping stone out into freedom in the end :)
Thanks for following our journey and let's hope this is just the beginning for all of us here in this wonderful community :)
Bless.
This is so incredible! It just blows my mind that financial freedom is even a possibility because of Steemit! And obviously, your lifestyle changes have also been a huge factor. I am so happy for you and your family. Merry Christmas to all of you! :)
Thank you @melodyrussell
Yes, the lifestyle change was the biggest factor for us without a doubt.
Thanks for reading and commenting on our blog.
Merry Christmas to you and yours :)
I am glad that things are working out for you and your family.
Always a pleasure to read your posts.
Thank you @likedeeler for following our progress :)
You are seriously to good for this world. But I love it. Actually my intention is about the same. If I ever have enough to sustain a good life I want to let others enjoy a good life as well by helping in any way I can. Have the greatest Christmas buddy, you and your fam!
Cheers Buddy!
I know you're going to have a cozy Christmas, and I can't wait to see a glimpse of it on your blog :)
Merry Christmas @s3rg3
Your story is amazing. Uprooting a family and moving is a hard job for whatever reason it is done. Our family did the same but within our own country as we needed better opportunities for our children. It was hard but definitely worth it. You and your family give great hope for many that one can make enough money here on Steemit to make those drastic changes if needed. Merry Christmas to you and yours and all the best for the new year.
Thank you @team101
Happy to here of more families taking back their lives :)
Thanks for the feedback
Yes!
Whats even more awesome is there are quite a few other such success stories of individuals and families making more money, living more free and much happier because of Steem/Steemit!
The potential here truly is revolutionary!
Its awesome to hear your want to start an Eco Community, as I can tell you first hand I can think of nothing better to do with time/money than build sustainable communities. I have literally fed hundreds of thousands of meals, educated hundreds of thousands on more healthy and happy living, while also sheltering and clothing hundreds of people. All on just dollars a day because sustainable community is so powerful!
Do you have any ideas where you want to build? I was actually looking at land in Portugal while I was there for a new project I want to do. Would love to help you or collaborate together.
I know there are tons of people that need/want $$$ but if you ever want to make any donations @gardenofeden feeds, educates, houses, clothes so many people every year and does it with less $$ than any operation I have ever seen!
Blessings Brother! Its a whole new world!
Yes, @quinneaker,
What steemit is doing for people is unbelievable and I'm blessed to be one of them.
We are looking in the south, around the algarve area, it's a bit expensive here but it looks like it's meant to be now :)
I was talking with @everlove at steemfest about infusing or having some kind of the @gardenofeden influence in our eco-project, we and the rest of the world have a lot to learn from The Garden of Eden.
Thanks for stopping by Brother!
Awesome!
It sure is great when you get in the "meant to be flow" just takes care of it self!
Be in touch Brother.
Wishing you and your family the best~
Bless~*~
Giving is from the heart and that is what matters in the end. Is easy to take care of yourself, but little of us take care also of the others. So, for that small portion of love givers all the good to gather around them and be happy!
I enjoy your blog and do appreciate
The stories you write and dedicate
to Steem, your family or causes real
From you I learn and now I feel
A family of friends that love and care
With support uplifted everywhere
And so my Mark with a grateful glee
At Christmas - may blessings fill your tree.
Always a pleasure reading your fabulous poems :)
Merry Christmas @enjoywithtroy
What a great success story Mark, it's things like this that make me wanna get behind Steem and do my best to help it succeed. Happy holidays
Same feeling I had 8 months ago :)
Did you start out with no initial investment ? If so, good for you man, when you are completely down, remember to STEEM up, UHHH, I mean get up. Cheers!
Hi, no, I invested $6k when steem was $1.80 a while back, it's paying off now though, thank God for not being able to panic sell all your steem at $0.83.
XD, Always HODL on tight.
it's odd how this post is made from an image. Is that the secret sauce?!
Shhhhh!!! It's not a secret anymore is it?
Hehehe, well spotted. I started experimenting as I wanted a different look and feel to my blog.
This is awesome! Congrats on your success on Steemit! It really is amazing to be a part of this community
Hi @markwhittam,
I just found your post! I'm amazed.....can't wait to see your next post so I can upvote it!
Lots of love!
Me too. It's great writing
I am glad to have been opportune to meet someone like you before 2017 runs out. Hearts that gives and treasure humanity itself with its values are worth more than all the riches the world holds. . Keep treading this road and live the life you and your family truly deserves. Blessings flow!!!
Thank you for the kind words @kryptocoin
I believe 2018 will be huge for all of us :)
Bless.
Best luck to you and your loved ones! I hope from now on everything will be just better.
Much love and best wished <3
Really nice gesture. Happy Holidays!
Your journey has been one I have watched from the start. The education of the children should always be up to the parent!
Thank you for the support @weetreebonsai
Thanks for the inspiration.
I wish I had started posting and participating when I first signed up.
I still worry a little but stories like yours help.
It's never to late :)
Thanks for stopping by
@markwhittam, I am excited for you and your family. You pursuit of freedom is inspiring
Keep pressing up and being a great example for others!
It warms my heart to hear that you can support your (simple) lifestyle with what you make here on Steemit. I remember our first conversation about Steemit in the parking lot of Max. That got my imagination started and now it is no longer just a dream for you and your family. The dream has become reality.
Your generosity makes you a roll modell in this community. May your Steem power continue to rise as you give back to the community.
My favorite thought "I only want enough money to build a sustainable homestead." Family above all things is an awesome feeling.
Upvote, Follow and happy to say I share similar vision :) Thanks for being a good human being :) Its nice to have people on this planet like yourself, makes it enjoyable environment.
Really good news you made more working here than working in a common work that's important to hear because i can see a clear example that you can work in your profession and be a profitable blogger. Regards
Very inspiring to go from the very bottom to respectably successful. The truth is that anyone can make it. Intelligence or background doesn't matter. Hard work and good work will always result in success.
wooooooo am the random comment :P
Wow! That's awesome @markwhittam!
Cheers @coolbowser!
I really love the design of your posts, which made me following and upvoting.
I just started 27 days ago, It didn't change my life. But i hope it will.
🎢 It has definitely been one hell of a ride this year. With all the ups and down here on Steemit I am happy to see things finally getting moving and to be a part of the community during this time of unexpected abundance. It's great to see you and others giving back and now with our increased vote value we can help spread the love even further. The last few weeks have really been an early gift for all of us.
Wow, what a ride!
My mind is still blown by it all to be honest mate.
I can't imagine what 2018 will be like for us, it's been a pleasure getting to know you on here and as always, thanks for the support buddy :)
Even I started like 3 months ago, it still felt like I had been through a lot on Steemit. Nonetheless, it really can bring some income for us. With this plus some other freelance or part time job, I think we can survive very well. If we can use the Steem like btc daily, that would be terrific!
First of all, what strict laws are out there about homeschooling, i had no idea! You are one of the examples that made it with cryptos that others consider fraud and bubble, you are the exception to the ''rule'' really good job i am following you from now on as i had no idea about you till now
Dont include me on the random steem giveaway , i prefer you give it some commentators that follow you for a couple of time,have read other posts you made and have a relationship even just by commenting and not only cause of the ''giveaway'' thing
Hi @filotasriza3
In Sweden and Germany it's illegal to homeschool, in both countries they will take your children if you refuse to send them to School.
Hehe, ok then, I usually get the kids to pick out winners, maybe if I tell them to pick one under rep. 60 :)
Thanks for your feedback
Bless.
I usually get the kids to pick out winners haha what a great and creative way!
Thanks very much for the donation it will be going straight back out to some lucky steemians with my own sbd im giving away!.
You are very visionary
Hey @markwhittam , I'm here thanks to @kafkanarchy84 for resteeming this post. It sure is emotional reading your post. Our life is entirely diffrerent in a way Steemit changed our life, I hope for the better to all here.
With the price of SBD surging, you can't imagine how it effect me and my fellow countrymen. 1SBD now can feed a whole family (of 4 people) for a day. Imagine how it can change our life. Thanks to steemit. If it rise again it will help a lot of people particularly people from a small country like Malaysia, Phillipines and all.
We are blessed. God bless you.
Jen
INCREDIBLE!
UPVOTED
FOLLOW ME I WILL FOLLOW YOU
LOVE THISSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
I DEF SHOW LOVE ;)
I love how you have been successful and placed your children and the environment above your own previous lifestyle. These are hard, terrifying decisions, but so worth it. Once we unshackle ourselves from materialism... once we take responsibility for the education of our children... once we stop being part of the problem... we become part of the solution. But it takes heart to give up the known to enter the unknown, and I appreciate your sharing your success and am enthused that steemit has been so good to you! Ride the wave and finish strong sir.
@markwhittam congratulations for your success, great posts I want to be like you.
Yeah @markwhittam
We are capable of manifesting our environment
Our greatest gifts goes beyond what we have but what we can give
Merry Christmas
The world is changing. The reason is not some mysterious, esoteric, or woowoo reason.
It’s because people are changing. People are rejecting the ideas and beliefs that keep us in the current consensus reality. A reality shaped by outside forces with outmoded ideas of what true power is.
This changing world is one shaped by the inner wisdom of everyday people put into action. Ignoring what is here and building new based on caring and creativity.
You seem to be one of these people described above. Since we aren’t neighbors and can’t exchange ideas over the garden fence, I’ll make do with a follow.
Keep the faith and enjoy the voyage.
It is a real encouragement seeing someone having gone through tough times and survived! Thank you for your post, it's beautiful!
Think it is amazing you have done so well and I want to learn how to do so that I can help my family