I've been waiting in the shadows to introduce myself, like I do in most social situations. Am I good enough? Does anyone really want to listen to what I have to say? These last few years have been a journey out of this kind of anxiety for me. I don't think I'll ever be the one that flamboyantly enters a room and declares myself, and if that's the way it appears to you, that's because I have you bluffed!
For this 'introduce myself' post I'm doing what the Buddha did to Mara, that is, sitting down and having a cup of tea with him and saying 'I see you, Mara' - if you can read 'Mara' as my self doubt and anxiety, you'll understand what I mean. I posted it about it here (by the way, how do you put hyperlinks in a post?): https://steemit.com/life/@riverflows/the-buddha-and-mara
I came to Steemit because my husband dabbles in cryptocurrency and he thought I might be interested in this, because I do enjoy writing and blogging, but most of all communicating with people in this manner because in real life, I can be tongue tied. The written word makes it easier for me to articulate how I feel - and I'm all about feeling and emotion (last year I got a heart tattoed on my forearm to acknowledge that part of me, rather than hide it in shame, like I have done most of my life - why do we always compare ourselves to other people? - enough of that!).
I've always been a surfer of some sort - from short boards in my youth to stand up paddleboarding, which I've done for eight years now, which is a bit of a constant explanation for people. It's not just paddling on the flat, though that can be fun - I actually SURF WAVES on it. I'm a bit older than the young bikini clad surfer chics so people have a bit of a hard time really recognising what I do. As if not wearing a bikini means you can't rip up a beautiful green face of a wave. Ugh.
The ocean brings me closer to joy, to truly being in the moment, which brings me a lot of happiness. Water in general is my jam - give me water and I'm happy. Mind you, I'm a fan of nature in all her glory - desert stars, green top mountains.
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So does yoga, which I've done since I was a teenager. This has taken up even more room in my life of late as I qualified as a yoga teacher last year (such an achievement, and such a journey) and it's allowing me to access a happiness and peace I've never thus known. I used to read a LOT - I'm a big fan of writing and literature as it allowed me to escape and get close to beauty. I'm not sure why I don't read fiction as much these days - I feel like I've read myself out and it's not providing me with the answers and comfort it used to. I'm getting more joy from getting closer to the heart of nature through movement, meditation and contemplation of the divine (what ever that might mean to you - there's a sense of ecstasy in it, a joy and expansiveness of heart that connects me to all things - we truly aren't alone - but I don't subscribe to any particular religion - though if I made a choice, it would be vipassana and insight meditation, if you're familiar with it).
Since I've been on Steemit I've posted a bit and met some pretty cool crew, so I'm really excited about it in a way I haven't been excited about the internet in a very long time. It used to be an anarchic space. Now it's all advertisements and censorship and you have to be smart and DIG to find truth. Even here I'm skeptical and worried, but I've met some great people I can't find on instagram anymore (because it's all advertisements) or Facebook (because it's all advertisements or the same old friends, and no one writes - they just tell me about their kids and the weather - sorry!). I miss days of communicating with poets, artists, anarchists, travelers, gypsies. That seems to be on Steemit, if you can go past all the posts about upvoting and buying popularity. Sure, it would be cool to get some cash for my posts but I'm not sure that's the main reason I'm here. Connections to people are important.
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I live on land in Australia. We used to live as new age travelers in England, in a horse lorry, and a library lorry (pictured above) years ago, but the opportunity came up for us to move closer to my family and have some land to do what we want on - have chickens, grow vegetables, do projects, light fires, watch the sun go down. We still travel alot - last year Burma, next year India and back 'home' to England (I'm Australian, my husband is English). Burma was amazing - we travelled with a Burmese nun and two meditators who took us to the heart of vipassana, the meditation centre where this branch of Buddhist meditation grew out and blossomed from - now they're got centres all over the world. I'll write about that soon I think. There's so many interesting things to write about, and so little time!
We still build vehicles and do them up to live in, travel in - but I guess because they are awesome creative projects and give us the sense of the possibility of movement and the gypsy life. We really love our garden, which is another source of inspiration, creative and peace for us.
I guess we are do-ers. We like doing - creating, building, making, moving, dreaming, travelling, surfing, writing, listening to music. If you're that kind of folk, you're my kind of folk.
Would love to meet you.
Eek, I'm going to hit post now!
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Welcome to Steem Community @riverflows! As a gentle reminder, please keep your master password safe. The best practise is to use your private posting key to login to Steemit when posting; and the private active key for wallet related transactions.
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Ahh an old traveller, I did a bit myself in the 90s, all the festivals, Lechlade, Castlemorton etc etc and then on to France with Bedlam and spiral Tribe. Good days. Read a poem this mornignthat a friend on Facebook has written about those times
Ah, yes, that's my husband's scene more, I know about some of those things but I was quite late on the scene and not for long - I've heard heaps of stories though and know alot about it. xx
It may sound weird reading this from a stranger you've just met on the internet, but from your introduction I can se that you have an amazing life and a lot to add to other people's life.
Keep us updated on your stories, and most importantly, on the incredible recipes xD
The best wishes for you and your husband, from a fellow on the other side of the world.
Thanks so much - this is a kind and thoughtful thing to say. I really appreciate it :) It's also clear that you took time to read my post, which I really value. xxx Best wishes from our side of the world! I love the international community on steemit. xx
Welcome aboard & thanks, for introducing yourself! From our exchanges and your posts, so far, I think you’ll do well here & wish you and husband continued success in leading an interesting life ✨✌🏼💫
That's a beautiful illustration! Is it yours? Thankyou! And here's for more exchanges - I do hope so! :)
Nah, wish it were mine (there’s an obscure signature in bottom left) but I found it beautiful! Sweet dreams 😴
And goodness - thanks for resteeming me!!!
You're worth knowing :) Good day!
Hello, @riverflows, and Welcome to Steemit.
Thanks for the very interesting intro. That type of post is what makes Steemit a worthwhile platform, so let's hope that you can create more such excellent posts.
Like you, I also tend to be the silent type who will not announce my entry or presence in a room. And even if my presence is noticed, I prefer to sit at the far back of the room, either alone or maybe in the company of one interesting person.
Also, my favoured mode of expression is writing, and believe me, Steemit is an excellent platform for that. It will be slow going at first, but with diligence and commitment (mostly to your own progress, but that goes hand in hand with the progress of what will become "your community" here on Steemit) – with that commitment, you will succeed and find this platform to be "rewarding."
(note 1. Even tho I love to write and like to communicate, I found Facebook abhorrent. 'Nuff said.)
(note 2: Your skepticism re Steemit may have some basis, since there is a lot of crap on this site, too. At the same time, there are so many various posts of great quality that the crap becomes irrelevant to us, and we can ignore it ... albeit with a bit of effort. :-)
Below are a few basic points of advice re posting on Steemit.
Hope this helps for now. Good luck, and Full Steem Ahead!
Thanks so much for your lengthy and thoughtful reply. It's really heartening to see that what I say is valued - sometimes you get a feeling you're lost in a quagmire. Being yourself is the hard bit, but I'm trying! I hear you about being the one in the room with one person to talk to - there's nothing wrong with that, is there - imagine if we were all social butterflies - how boring! :)
Right you are. And imagine a party or get-together where everybody is talking and vying for attention. It's bad enough when only a few are doing so ....
Peace!
Oh my god.. worse nightmare! But i could talk to you, right?
Hello @riverflows, Welcome to Steemit !!!
Thanks so much!! :)
Greetings From Mr. Crypto!
I enjoyed your post and I'm pleased to meet you!
Please help us grow @rehab22 Follow/UpVote/Resteem
Original Content.Thanks heaps! :) What did you enjoy about it?
Good luck on your Steemit career!
Thanks!
welcome in the community :)
thanks alot xx
Welcome to steemit @riverflows..have fun and enjoy your stay..:)
Thanks xx
Great story you have! And nice pictures! Welcome to steemit and keep up the posts! Looking forward to the next ones!
Thanks heaps!!! :)
Hey @riverflows, I'm not sure if you've noticed, but today I've invited you for the seven day black and white challenge. I hope you are up for the challenge :)
For sure! Thanks!
Sorry I have been at yoga and asleep.. its 6 am now here. 💙
Haha, wow the time difference! I just had dinner :) Have a nice day then!
Thanks! I had to wait a day as we had some tough news but just posted.
Welcome to Steemit @riverflows!
I wish you much success and hope you find Steemit to be as rewarding and informative as I have.
Here are some links you might find useful.
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Introbot is hosted and managed with donations from @byColeman to help make your journey on Steemit be truly rewarding. Your feedback is always welcome so that we may improve this welcome message.
Oh yea, I have upvoted you and followed you. Many blessings from @introbot & @bycoleman
I quite enjoyed reading your intro! You sound like a lovely person and I look forward to following your blog.
Naaaaw, thankyou!!! I like to think I"m a lovely person... he he... nah, I am... I think! Well, i try my bestest...
Surf, Yoga, and an adventurer...you're my type of people :)
Hey!!! Just checking my messages before I have to start work. Followed - hope to have a read through your posts later, fellow yogi! xx
This is truly interesting intro my friend ! You chose the way you like thats tha great thing ! I think Nepal the land of Buddha, Buddism, Hindusm and Himalalayas can be the best destination for your next trip !
Followed you .
Namaste !
While all my friends wanted to grow up to be doctors, lawyers, engineers, pilots, astronauts, I wanted to grow up to be a gypsy!
So tip of the hat to a real life modern gypsy. Maybe someday I will join the ranks!
Ha my gypsy days are getting shorter. Read your intro posts!! You are a good writer. What kind of stuff did your Dad write? What do you do for a living? Where do you live? Don't worry, you don't have to answer - I am sure this isn't the last I have heard from you and look forward to getting to know you better. Really pleased I found you!
You are right. Far too many questions :p
Amusingly, this is something i have never seen in western folk. In India, you can ask someone the most personal questions, and no one takes offence.
A married friend of mine got asked, "how come you have no kids yet, are you having problems down there?" This was a serious question asked amongst a group of people at a party!
Western folk are the polar opposite. A guy comes to your house with a woman you haven't ever met. He introduces her, "This is Kathy". THE END. He doesn't tell you whether Kathy is a friend, mother, aunt, cousin, sibling, wife, girlfriend. And you are left wondering, 'would it be inappropriate if i flirted with her!!!' Indians will give you the relationship till the very last detail! Without being asked :D
Ha! That's really interesting. I would like India I think! I get pretty personal, maybe not that personal though... Anyway, one of the best things about Steemit is getting to know people! So, how come you don't have kids yet? Is there anything....
Yes, yes, yes. There is something wrong with me up there!!! I love children, as long as they aren't mine!
I love going over to my friends and relatives homes. Spend time with their children, spoil them, teach them rubbish, teach them cursory whymes, play with them and then go back to my clean and perfect home.
While the parents of those little rascals, can put away the toys, clean poop, clean some more poop, feed them, clothe them, clean some more poop, rush to the hospital in the middle of the night because a child decided to run into the wall and then require stitches, get completely paranoid every time the baby farts, or doesn't fart and then spend more of their life cleaning poop.
So that's why I don't have kids :D
I didn't really want to know - it was a play on your comment - haha. Cursory whymes!! Love it. Your clean and perfect home with mouses reading Kafka? I can imagine them with their little spectacles.
I know. But that was a rant waiting to happen :D If you live in India and are regularly asked, why no marriage, children and settling down, the rant is always at the tip of your tongue!
The spectacle wearing mice, pointed out, they were mice and not mouses :D These mice are terrible I tell you, they make my life miserable with their penchant for dotting the i's and crossing the t's.