Something about a pending new year that makes us pause to take a look back and think about the year to come. It’s like wiping the chalkboard clean and starting anew.
2017 has been a year of hills and valleys in many areas of my life. For the most part, I live a pretty simple life. Until I start to look at it and then it’s not so simple.
If you know me at all, you know I’ve been deeply involved in volunteerism for decades. Volunteering can be both deeply satisfying and soul destroying. Over the course of 2017 I’ve experienced both, at times, simultaneously.
Challenged But Not Destroyed
When a group of people come together with common purpose, they don’t always have to agree. They can work out disagreements, find compromise and move on. Introduce into the group people who don’t share the common purpose, that seek only to have their personal wants fulfilled and poison enters the system.
Over the last year, this has been taking place. Those who seek their own selfish wants set out to not only thwart the work of the group, but to personally destroy and push out those at the centre of the group. I was one of those at the centre of the group.
I do what I do for the good of the whole, not the individuals. That has always been a guiding principle for me. It’s not that I don’t care about the individuals, that principle allows me to not take personally when individuals are toxic.
That principle was sorely tested this year. I’m not a person who throws up my hands and walk away. Ever. My belief in the group remained solid. My belief in myself started to waver until I started to wonder if it was time to just walk. Let the chips fall where they may. I had other things to do in my life.
From other outside sources, two awards came my way recognizing the decades of volunteering I’ve done and the positive effect it has had on the community. They were like a lifeline to my staggering soul. I’ll continue on but scaling back. I’ll ignore the selfish and support the group.
Health Challenges
I’m generally a pretty healthy person. At one time I struggled with chronic bronchitis but in the last several years I’ve managed to keep that out of my life. I’d not been near the medical system in seven years. For a person in her late 50s, I was pretty proud of that.
Then, in May of this year, I was feeling not well. For about three weeks I treated it as I’d picked up a bit of a bug and life carried on. It’s how I roll. Well, until I can’t.
Ten days in hospital in mid-June and weeks of recovery would follow. My health is pretty much back at this point. I have a pending issue with one kidney not functioning but it’s under control. Life’s good.
STEEMing On With Steemit
Scaling back in one area has allowed me to focus more strongly on the Steem platform and my presence on it. There’s some great people on here that I have the pleasure of knowing, some better than others.
People like @battleaxe, @teemsteam, @ats-david, @frystikken, @sircork, @whatsup, @rhondak, @gmuxx, @sgt-dan, @seablue, @crimsonclad and many more. They are people who work for the good of the platform in large and small ways. I’m richer for knowing them.
I’m particularly pleased to be one of those supporting You Are Hope, a blockchain based charity started by @sircork. In just two months of operation he’s been able to use donations provided to @youarehope to provide other Steemians in impoverished areas of the world with funds to carry out assistance direct to those who need it most.
Imagine a future where charities are able to get assistance to those most in need without huge layers of administrative costs. With donations and disbursements transparently available on the blockchain. That future has begun today.
The Steemit Ramble
In my little corner of the Steem world, I’ve been continuing on with the little series I began in 2016, the Steemit Ramble. A periodic publication featuring manually curated posts on a range of topics across the platform.
During 2017 I continued combing the platform for quality posts to share. I started taking part in the many communities forming on Discord. In September I formed the Steemit Ramble discord community.
Originally it was intended to be a place where people could nominate posts for review for the Steemit Ramble. It still is that. I welcome nominations.
Pimp Your Post Thursday
In October I added another way for people to get some notice for their posts. Pimp Your Post Thursday was born to invite people to come onto chat and share their posts with others. The chat was an opportunity for people to network and share. It was also fun to do.
@SirCork supported the project from the start and added it to the lineup of the fledgling SteemStar Network radio station, broadcasting both sessions that now takes place in the Steemit Ramble discord.
The Writers’ Block
Through the networking on PYPT, I was introduced to @thewritersblock, a discord born on the PAL network which had moved into its own space. A group of really great people not only dedicated to writing, but, dedicated to helping others hone their craft. For writing is a craft.
Notwithstanding my mother’s belief that writing as a source of income for me was just ‘pie in the sky’, writing has always been something I wanted to do more of. The very fact that I’ve managed to make some money here on Steemit has helped to strengthen my belief that I can and should become a better writer.
I’m thankful to have found @thewritersblock.
Here’s to 2018
Having been through STEEM at 10cents, seeing where STEEM is sitting at the end of 2017 reinforces my faith in the platform. We’ll see some ups and downs, just like in life, but I think we’re at the start of something that will grow and develop. Maybe not a fast as we’d like, but it will come. Patience grasshopper.
As for me, I really want to develop as a writer over the coming months. These Random Ramblings will be a new addition to my writing. I am going to be working toward not only publishing them regularly, but to produce the Steemit Ramble more often.
PYPT will continue on Thursdays. Someone asked if I am thinking about doing them more often. I’d like to but there is still only 24 hours in a day and I need to sleep. It might be possible to form a team of hosts to add to the schedule. That’s something I’ll think on.
Life’s seas can get turbulent at times but, as long as we don’t let ourselves fall overboard, we’ll come through.
Have a safe and happy new year!
Until Next Time — Just Steem on
Thank You for the support and mention. We both have weathered some storms and come out the other side fortified and also with fortifications..he he
That being said The THURSDAY EVENING PYPT show is amazing. I have personally watched it blossom into something very well respected, run and attended.
You conduct yourself AND that show with the utmost integrity and professionalism (I can not say the same of others, they do say to take certain things as a form of Flattery afterall) <<<I'll have to work on that last part as a New Years Resolution. ;) Happy soon to be 2018 to someone who has ethics, resolve and ethics (oh oops just said that twice, oh well):)
@battleaxe (Hop over to the PYPT Thursday evening show, you won't regret is <3 )
(The Solidarity Society Awards You a Virtual Medal of Podcast Host/Curation Excellence. Onward and Upward)
thank you for your very kind words @battleaxe. Yes, we have weathered some challenges and likely will in 2018. But, we'll keep on keeping on wont we with resolve, honesty, ethics and integrity.
sums it up beautifully
I am a better person for knowing you. Your counsel and advice have made a big impact on me. Your selfless work with military Veterans is an inspiration to me.
May G-D bless and watch over you this next year and bring you much happiness.
Be sure to say hello to the kitties for me!
You have been a trooper and ardent supporter of the GOOD Steem can do, ShadowsPub rocks, her list of cool people is spot on ;)
Too many people can find the bad too easily. We have to know that GOOD to know there is balance that benefits the whole.
The kitties are thawing out and have nodded at my hello on your behalf. Apparently the heater is rather important to them right now.
Thank you for your kind words @sgt-dan but, we all learn from each other.
This is such a fantastic article, Shadowpup. (LOL!) Some of the things you said really resonated with me.
I've discovered this myself with the rescue.
Then this:
Uhmm...yes. Quite true. Heartbreaking when you see it in action. But it does happen, and is so predictable in its course.
Please continue taking care of yourself so you can share your gifts with the rest of us. You make like better for a whole bunch of people. :-)
as do you Rhonda, both people and our four-legged friends. Although you have the patience for more variety of critters than I have. God love you.
This is a nice read. It is encouraging in times of uncertainty. My story is unimportant, except to say, your story is appreciated. I hope you will continue to take care of your health. At first you had a bug, then hospitalized? My goodness friend. If we have not our health.... I humbly suggest you drink your water and eat your lemons and ginger. And may I be so bold as to invite thee to an #Improv show at your nearest Club, ShadowsPub. If you are in Canada? There is TheaterSports and almost every major city has Improv. Especially Canada and Vancouver. The reason is: JOY is such an intangible power. I feel like ever since I started doing improv, those around me stop aging. It is just a suggestion and you are welcome to peruse improv posts in the #Improv Section of Steemitchat.
I hope to balance the time and perhaps contribute to Thursday Post Pimps and Writers Block and Steemit Ramble. We shall see. I have to be realistic with my time. But those are welcome projects. Wishing you and those you mentioned in your post all the very best in 2018.
thank you @jacobts .. well I thought I had a bug, I had something more serious unfortunately. I definitely work on taking care of my health.
the closest major city for me is Toronto a distance of 100km. I commuted there to work for about 10 years and for some strange reason, don't miss going near the place. :)
Happy new year 2018
We are grateful you found us. You are a wonderful addition to our family.
great bunch of people to hang out with. Community to enjoy and grow with.
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You have done some amazing things this year, well done! #pypt is a great initiative
💓💜
thank you @princessmewmew and I'm pleased to see you joining us at PYPT.
It's an honor to be mentioned this way. Thank you for recognizing the work of YouAreHOPE and supporting us as you do! <3 Here's to 2018! Happy new year!
You Are Hope is going to do great things for so many as it grows.
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Thank you for your help today with my new year quest - mission accomplished.
I totally enjoy PYPT - would recommend to anyone and everyone to get along there on Thursdays.
I'm delighted that you were able to reach that new year quest and you'll surpass it to so much more in 2018. I have no doubt about that. And thank you for your kind words about PYPT. I enjoy doing and is always nice to know it is enjoyed by others.
Looking forward to today's PYPTs. Hope I can make the first one if I am not too busy at work.
This was a really nice way to get to know you better! :)
Looking forward to participating in all what you do on the platform.
Be well dear!
thank you @ashleykalila .. I still have those questions that I'm working on as I can.
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by ShadowsPub [PYPT Host] from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews/crimsonclad, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
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There is much in this post that resonates me. I'm also a curator, although I've done this off Steemit and will only begin doing it on in the next few months. I'm very excited about that. There are a load of people for me to follow on here, so I'm going to be busy clicking and reading for awhile. I'm excited about that! Also, this thing you said blew my mind and gave me all the hope I've been needing for quite a long time:
Thank you for that. Will be following and learning how I can help.