Hey Steemians!
TL;DR: I'm trying to go on my first Skydiving adventure EVER, to celebrate being 6 months clean from Heroin (December 10th was my last date of use - June 10th will be my 6 months!)
I have a trip planned out to do it in Bangkok, in 2 weeks, but I need to raise $300. So I'm asking for your help, simply by upvoting/commenting/resteeming/being awesome Steemians!
If I do break $300, I'll build a custom designed website/portfolio/etc for a Steemit community member, free of charge. (Normally I charge $1000+ through my business, Fat Panda Design).
Please, Upvote & Resteem - Pay it Forward, So I can Pay it Forward <3
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It's been a really depressing/rough past few weeks on my end.
I am nearing my 6 months/180 days clean date (June 10th is the day - I stopped using on December 10th, 2016!).
I'm really proud of myself, and I want to reward myself by doing something I've been dreaming of doing for a long, long time.
I'm currently traveling in Thailand, but I'm also working at the same time on my web design/marketing business, and my new cryptocurrency consulting business that I just started.
I'm fucking exhausted, and I need a little break.
Financially, I'm only in Thailand because it's dirt cheap. I had money saved up before I came out here, but the unexpected happened last month...
I was extorted at the border about a month back, and they took everything i had money wise instead of tossing me in jail (i had overstayed my stamp by 5 days :/ should have LEGALLY only been a 2500 baht fine, but they wanted more, apparently...)
Anyways, since then I've been playing catch up financially. I haven't been able to do anything fun or out of the norm.
Any while I finally just saved enough to lease a cheap condo and put the deposit down, I'm pretty much broke again. (Literally $600 was enough for 1 month of rent/utilities and my 2 months deposit).
I need to take a break. I need to do something that I've dreamt of doing for a long time.
My 60 day chip that I earned back in Feb! I started Traveling in March.
I found I can go skydiving about 12 hours south in Bangkok for around $300 in total (includes trip there, few nights in a hostel, trip back).So, Steemians - are you feeling up to helping me raise a few steem bucks to support the cause?
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I'm trying really hard to break my old habits - this trip was about transformation for me. I used to be a huge heroin addict, and that consumed my life.
I'm also trying to break my old fears - and a huge fear of heights is one of them.
So, skydiving has been my plan/idea to break that fear, for a few years now. But I've continually had to put it off due to financial woes :/
It would be amazing if I could make this happen - and I would be eternally grateful.
So, hit that upvote, comment on this, resteem, and help a brother out!
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(Anything over $300 will go towards a cheap action cam/knock off GoPro - so I can film my first jump. I would LOVE to show you all how it went and share the experience with the community! (I can get a knockoff one in Bangkok w/ SD card for about $100 USD)
(I design/develop websites through my business, Fat Panda Design).
Much love, Steemians <3
Stay strong! 6 months is quite the achievement! Reach for the stars, many people here on Steem rooting for you! There will be a jump for you! I can Almost guarantee it!
Thank you so much!! I absolutely love the SteemIt community <3 It's only been a week but I've run into so many amazing, kind, selfless individuals - and I'm just so happy I found my way here. It's pretty much replaced my use of FB (minus talking to family members/clients), that's how much I love it here.
I would be so freaking happy if this came together because of Steem - but if it doesn't, I'm still extremely grateful and happy to be here.
People like you are the reason why!
Thanks so much :D
Awesome progress! You deserve to celebrate!
Thank you! Hopefully some whales come by who feel especially nice today :)
Go ahead!
I'm tryin'! Some love from the community would help right now <3 A resteem or two would probably go a long way! I'd love to go skydiving - and then donate a website to a SteemIt member when I get back :D
One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble. For a recovering addict, you are picking one mad city to visit.
I have already left - I've been in Chiang Mai for almost 2 months now. But yeah, Bangkok was madness and that was the main reason i left so quickly - I saw myself easily able to slip back into total fucking madness :/
Fantastic achievement and you must be well proud of yourself.
And.....oh my god...Kudos to you for wanting to conquer your fear of heights in this way, I couldn't do it, I'm terrified of heights.
I wish you all the success in the world.
Thank you so much! It's been a long road and I can't wait to go skydiving to celebrate this achievement in my life - to me it's a big deal and I need to make sure I keep it that way. This way, i'll always see the importance of hitting a new milestone with my sobriety :D And I appreciate it! If I win this contest I'm entered in I'll definitely be able to go Skydiving in the next week or so!
Wish me luck <3
Oh one hundred percent....you'll get there!
If I win this contest i'm entered in in two days - i'll have the money! Once it clears I'm GOING SKYDIVING WEEEE!!
This post received a 17% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @ausbitbank! For more information, click here!
My family had see the battle of overcoming addictions and the power that comes from working together as a family. It is amazing to see that support and drive.
It's important we take the time to celebrate the progress we make. Often times we get to a goal and move onto the next goal without ever even celebrating the progress.
Yeah, I can totally relate to that...my family went through hell because of me.
They also stuck by my side and were the only ones to NEVER give up on me - even when I'd done them so dirty or wrong while I was an addict, they STILL took me back in when I needed somewhere to stay after rehab. They helped me help myself get back on my feet.
Taking me to counseling appointments. Always there for me and taking time to talk to me. My family never gave up on me and honestly - I couldn't have done this without them. They truly made the difference in me staying clean after rehab - if it weren't for mine, I'd prolly had gone to live at a shelter and be right back at square 1 again.
So we truly have amazing families that we owe a lot of gratitude and thanks to, because they never gave up on us, even when we turned our backs on them or did them wrong.
I spent 3 months at home after rehab, and I am so happy I did. I got to rebuild my relationships with my mom, my sister, my dad, even my step father, because I was actually around, and clean, for once.
It's amazing to say now that I have great relationships with all of them, even though I live halfway across the world now (I started traveling again, and I'm currently in Thailand - my family is from New York).
As for celebrating progress - you're so right. That's something I'm really trying to work on - and I actually intend on celebrating my 6 months clean with treating myself to my first skydive ever - it's been a huge item on my bucket list for a while and I'm TERRIFIED of heights, so it'll be amazing to smash 2 things at once. I was trying to fundraise the $300 I need to do it, Steem is helping a bit but I may need to postpone until I earn some more.
Cheers!
I know you will see the success I have no doubt in my mind! I want to help you see this happen @fatpandadesign. DO a post about what you need to fundraise and I will help spread the good word.
shifting gears, Its crazy to see the value in a support structure to provide accountability and motivation to make success toward being and staying clean from any addiction. My brother would benefit so much from hearing your story. I need to get him on here to help him find others that can better relate to him as you can have that connection on a level that others would not have unless having been down in the trenches if you feel what I am saying.
I actually already started a post earlier brother - it's on my feed. Probably 6 or 7 in, only has like $1.40 raised so far or whatever. If I break the $300 mark and go skydiving - I'm actually going to MASSIVELY pay it forward.
I'm going to donate a $1000 custom designed website to 1 SteemIt community member who needs 1 (portfolio for their work, ecommerce site for new business launch, etc).
So if the community shows me some goodwill, in return I basically give away 3x what I get. And I'm okay with that, because I want to pay it forward!
And I definitely hear what you mean...please, share my story with your brother. You can also find it on Medium.
I can definitely connect and relate with those that have been in the trenches...we've fought those battles...many of my brothers never made it out. So many overdoses. I was nearly one of them.
If you ever need to talk man I'm here, and if you want your brother to chat with me he's absolutely welcome to. For real, I feel like the people I meet on here are like family, so I will be here for you guys like family. Anything you need. Just ask.
I'll grab that link for you too, it you don't mind resteeming and helping the cause. I'd fucking love to go skydiving to celebrate my 6 months free from heroin :D
I threw out a RESTEEM for you brother you deserve the spotlight! You will do much good with your story entering the minds of those lacking hope.
Aww man I fuckin appreciate that. Thank you kindly brother. I just hope My story will teach more people and touch more lives - if I am even able to help or inspire 1 person to get help with their addiction after reading my story, then everything I went through, was worth it. Because it may have saved someone else's life.
When we change who we are and focus on trying to be selfless, we are able to give so much more and try and be such better people. That's what I'm really trying to do in life - if I get something, I pay it forward 2x as much - I have been a taker my whole life, now it's time to start giving back and helping those who need help <3
Congratulations on being clean for six months! That is quite an achievement. I hope you get to have your skydiving adventure, though it might be closer to your 7 month anniversary, which would be great too. I'm resteeming the article and hope that gets you a few more upvotes. I'd like to know more about your cryptocurrency consulting business. What kind of services would you have to offer to others? I also could potentially be in the market for a website design down the road, so please keep in touch :)
While I'm here I want to draw your attention to the VIVAconomy. You can get lots of information by checking the #viva tag right here on Steemit, and the website is https://vivaco.in/). I think based on your story and interests that getting involved might be a great fit for you.
Congratulations on being clean. I've witnessed what drugs can do to a person, so its really heart-warming to see anyone breaking the habit! Just about an hour ago I also got some good news from someone close to me that they have been off drugs for a while as well. Not 6 months, but at least its a start.
Thank you so much! that's also some amazing news you just received - i hopee they remain clean and on the path to sobriety :)
Good luck, man. Resteemed with a schnitzel of that sweet upvote juice.
Thanks buddy <3
Conngrats and all the best :) Hope you will manage to raise the money ;) Resteemed ;)
Thank you so much! Maybe if I can catch a whale or two, I'll raise it all! And then one lucky Steemian in need of a Website is going to be INSANELY happy when I donate a FREE website to him after my trip <3
How will you choose the one who gets it ;) ? Can I apply ? :D
I will have to put together some sort of requirements sheet - but it'll be made fairly so that anyone that's deserving and really needs one for legitimate business purposes (will have to show proof of business ownership) will be eligible to win it - maybe a drawing that people can enter and I'll screen eligibility :)
Celebrating being heroin free, definitely something I can get behind. Always happy to support someone bettering them self! Good luck to you @fatpandadesign, 6 months is great but as I'm sure you know it's still only the start. Pulling for you man!
Man I really appreciate you posting this. It's so uplifting to see such compassion for humanity in this community - I wasn't expecting this level of kindness at all. I am absolutely in love with the SteemIt community, you guys are amazing.
Totally appreciate it and yeah bro - 6 months isn't shit. I still have to go the rest of my life! But, it's a decent start. Just gotta keep chuggin' along ;)
Thanks for stopping' by brother. I followed you!! Cheers
That's really all you can do, take everday as rhe next challenge, which it sounds like you are already doing! Keep on it brother, keep on it!
You're absolutely right - day by day. Just for today. :)
Thanks for the support, you rock! High five :D
Good Luck dude I hope you can reach your goal!
Resteemed
Thank you brother! I appreciate that!!
deserve my upvote and resteem...buddy
I appreciate it mate - It's been a hell of a battle and going SkyDiving would be fucking INCREDIBLE.
I also would LOVE to design a website for a community member :D
that's great...always support your great effort...
Thank you <3
u r welcome...my friend
Stay strong. Keep it up, you can do it and through your inner transformation gradually old burdensome structures will die and things will open up and transform. Well done!
You're so right. Thank you for words of encouragement. I am so happy that I made it this time! I've always quit out on myself early, always relapsed, always just gave up and gave in to temptation. Not anymore. I'm stronger than that now :D Thank youu man.
Great job on your sobriety. Seven years alcohol free here last month. I While I can't say that I can fully appreciate the pull of heroin since I haven't experienced it, I can empathize with the power of addiction. Stay strong and continue to work on the issues that drive the addiction. One day at a time!
I truly appreciate your kind words. The people in this community continue to inspire and truly uplift me, you guys are amazing. No judgement or hate at all, it's been nothing but love and respect from everyone.
I'm proud of you for staying strong for so many years! That's a huge accomplishment and speaks volumes about your self-control and willpower. You're one tough-ass person and I highly respect that, and you inspire me.
Stay strong as well, and like you said - one day at a time. We got this!
Good luck, bud! And if you ever need any marketing help I can hold my own with FB ads/writing copy and creating content!
I think skydiving is a kickass way to celebrate (check the profile pic, I loved every second of that) so I think you should totally do this! Get there, I know you can. No rest, no sleep. Entrepreneurs work their faces off! Check out Gary V for some motivation! Best of luck!
Haha, thanks mate. I know who Gary V is, I used to be a huge obsessor over him.
Working myself to the brink unfortunately is what would cause me to use, a lot of times. I am an entrepreneur and that shits in my veins for life but I know I can't return to how I used to work - because it caused me to use. Every single time.
No, Im taking things a little slower from now on and just going with the flow. If the Steem community helps me out, then not only do I get an awesome gift for my clean time, I get to donate a brand new website to a fellow SteemIt member - so I'm hoping the community sees this and wants to do something pretty cool for 2 people at once!
Take care man!
I can definitely appreciate that. Self awareness is so important! Well take care and again best of luck, followed and upvoted.
I appreciate that! I'll follow you as well ;)
The skydive will get you high for sure! Adrenaline rush 👌🏼! Keep it up man. Here in California they have indoor skydiving facilities. I've thought about trying it but it probably doesn't compare to the real thing.
Oohhh I know! I can't wait for that - I love getting "high on life" now :D I don't think my post will generate the $ I need sadly...unless I start getting some major resteems or a few whales come by, but, we'll see...
Cheers!
And here i thought i was doing good because i quit weed 6 months ago after 10 years. Good job
Hey, you're still doing an amazing job. Don't ever compare your situation with someone elses and feel like yours isn't good enough - EVER. You keep doing you and walking down the right path in life, and it'll take you far my friend. I promise <3
I will try my best to do so. But of luck
Thank you <3
I'm going to assume that you have never been skydiving (due to fear of heights); so next, I'm going to assume that you'll do a tandem jump??? You are going to love the experience! Best of luck in crossing this one off your bucket list. Enjoy the feeling.
That's correct - this will be my VERY FIRST skydive/jump - and I am terrified of heights, but I know that right on the other side of our fears usually lies the most beautiful experiences and memories of our lives <3
Thank you so much for your support!
Go go go! 👏👏👏 well done! Life brings opportunities to all, you just need to trust and be open to receive them!
Thanks! I'm definitely open to receive them, now I'm just hoping :D
I appreciate the love!
😜
great job on what you've accomplished. don't worry, this dream will come true one day if not today. all the best! stick with it :)
Thank you so much for the love <3 You're very right - it'll happen! I'm determined to make it happen. I can still celebrate this large (for me, anyway) accomplishment!
Cheers :D
Cheers brother, and wish you much success on steemit and in life!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the love ;)
Best wishes to you! Keep Steemin' on!
Keep up the goood work mate ;)
Thanks a bunch! Trying my hardest ;)
Congrats on being clean! I know it's not an easy feat. I've lost far too many friends to opiates.
Thanks a million Giz. I haven't lost any friends to Opes, but I did see a lot of OD's on the streets I was rippin' and runnin' on and someone OD'ed in front of me...gave my Narcan kit away the night before to another friend. Guy died and I could've saved him. Still haunts me.
I'm so done with heroin and opes and drugs man. I've lost so much to it :[ and hust so many...
Congrats on your sobriety. Hope your dream comes true! Upvoted and resteemed
Thanks so much mate! Truly appreciate it :D
I hope you achieve your dream. You deserve it.
Thank you <3 I really would love to but I don't know if it'll happen...
Great to hear that! You deserve a:
Upvoted!
Haha! I love a good old bravocado! You're awesome <3
Thank you!
congrats on making the change , hope you have a good time when you end up going
Bro! I just saw what you did. Thank you so much for the SBD! You're a fucking legend mate <3
following you now, will be looking forward to your posts!
Thank you! I'm following you as well. I'm trying to get a little extra set aside too for that trip - they sell knock off action cams brand new for like $75 in Bangkok on the streets w/ memory card - would love to Film my first skydive and share it with the Steem community! You just made my damn night though with that donation, thanks again <3
Enjoy. Best of luck.
I really hope I can make it! Would love this <3 If I raise like $75-$100 extra over the $300 needed, I can get a cheap action cam on the streets of Bangkok w/ memory card and record the whole trip - then I can share it when I get back with the SteemIt Community :D
Upvoted, Resteemed & Following! Congratulations my friend - keep up the great work! I'm sure you will be going on your skydiving adventure soon - Looking forward to seeing the post ;)
Much Love & Reiki Hugs!!
Ahhh you're amazing! I'm feeling so much love from the community tonight, it's absolutely beautiful <3
Thank you so kindly - I feel like this is actually going to happen, I can feel it deep within me!
Much love in return <3
Respect
Thanks bro.
Grats on that one mate. Steem on!
Thanks so much! Would be amazing to go Skydiving - wondering if a few whales can help make this happen!!! :D
Congrats!
Thank you! Feels amazing :D
I've always wanted to skydive!
Me too! I WILL skydive this year - it would be amazing if it was able to happen through this post / the community, but if not, I'll save enough extra at some point! I'm determined to make this happen!!
@fatpandadesign
Well done Brother. Unfortunately I know all, all to intimately, how it feels to be an addict. I have been clean for 9 years 3 months and 5 days. And not a day goes by that I regret it. I can't help but imagine how much regret I would be filled with-had I continued down that dark path.
Thailand and skydiving were in my top 5 to do's and guess what? 9 months in to my journey-I went. and did the exact same thing. If I wasn't new to this Steemit community and had anything to donate-It would be yours.
Good work. Keep it up and i have upvoted and resteemed.
If you ever need a ear or anything-or an angry rant! :') Hit me up. I am around.
Talk at ya soon. <3
I am so proud to hear that you've been clean THAT LONG! That is SO inspiring to me. Seriously - I watch people that have that amount of clean time and just can't even imagine HOW STRONG you must fucking be. HUGE PROPS to you. Seriously. I'm following you just for that.
Wow, that's crazy that you followed the same path I did - how amazing! Was skydiving as absolutely batshit crazy awesome as it's hyped up to be?!?! I can't fucking wait until the day comes that I can do it!!!
Hey, don't worry about donating - I'm just glad you're here! Are you a part of our minnow support community? We help fellow minnows grow big and strong, so one day you'll have some exxtra fuckin' money to play with!
If not, check out this post and come join the growth and fun:
https://steemit.com/msp/@fatpandadesign/minnow-support-project-discord-channel-grow-faster-earn-more-and-have-way-more-fun
I've followed you. Feel free to do the same, i'd love to stay in touch with you. And hopefully I'll see you in the group! <3
@fatpandadesign Thank you my friend! It has been a long journey and I wouldn't change it for anything. Thailand remains on my top 3 fave travel destinations and I have plans to live there one day ^_^ <3
As for your reference to strength-I think honestly-the first 2 years is where all the strength goes. After that its like riding a bike. you still see it and remember it but you no longer crave and want it.
Skydiving and my fear of heights was something that I used to dwell on to the point I couldn't get passed step 2 on a short ladder without feeling like I was going to faint and having serious waves of vertigo. Now? I can climb onto my roof-And whilst I might still break a leg or possibly my neck-i still do it :)
NOW! Because your awesome and I got my first payout I will e transferring a small donation shortly to you for this skydive and travel. Make sure we get lots of pics please! I would love to see thai through another's eyes, on the same path. <3
I have joined minnows and I have followed you right back so I can see your amazing adventures <3
Keep it up! Good for you man, enjoy!!
Thanks man! I truly appreciate that :D
Congratulation man.
Thank you!
I will voteup people follow me at @mrstaf
Have a nice dive bro
Give you a voteup
Resteem it for me bro!!! That would be killer. I'll folllow you then!
I am happy for you. Upvoted. You could find this interesting. Take good care and stay clean :D
https://steemit.com/health/@readmore/cara-therapeutics-fight-against-opioids-35-billion-dollar-business
Thanks so much!
Good for you!!!. Stay strong. Jumping from a plane....??.. Hell no.... Lol. Good luck ;)
Haha, that's my plan! I hope the community hooks it up, 3 days left!
I appreciate your kind words though :)
You r very welcome.
Great job on your 6 months, here's to many more! :)
Thanksss so much!
I'll Cheers to that! Sips my water hahaha no, I drink beer every now and then.
I mean I don't have my old alcoholic tendencies at all anymore, literally I've had a beer sitting in my room for like 6 days now,. Not interested at all.
Appreciate it bro!
Good for you bro! Did it twice and you should film it but i had another diver filming it. Anyhow congrats and that's a grat treat you are offering yourself! Namaste
Thank you so much! Wow, i'd love to hear abour your experiences skydiving - i am so freaking excited if this actually becomes reality for me <3
I remember the feeling of seing a friend of mine jump out of the plane and fall like rag doll right in front of me (then you realize there is no turning back) , slight fear then you take your courage in both hands and jump: the adrenaline kicks in. You feel free, oh and remember not too look down and breath from your nose (lol). Felt high for 24 hours. The free fall is amazing, parachute open, feet on ground, feels amazing. You deserve it and I suggest you pay the 100$ for the cameraman. Went back 3 years later and it was a different experience, but good too, felt somewhat calmer and enjoyed it in a different way. Ah I guess those first experience feelings! Enjoy bro. Just followed you
ahhh that sounds amazing! sounds like what I want my experience to be like. And i'd rather use the $100 for a cheap action cam myself, instead of paying them exorbitant fees. But thanks for the recommendation! :) I appreciate you following me!
Thank you bro! we'll see if it actually happens!!!!
Stay positive it will!
I am staying very positive but only 2 more days!
congrats man u will get those $300!
idk, i hope so!
I love this. Skydiving is transformative. Beyond a fear of heights, you realize how insignificant life's problems are in the grand scheme of things. If you are looking to live on a tighter dollar, I suggest checking out Laos or Cambodia. They are both fabulous countries that can realllly stretch your dollar 😉
Yessss. I can't wait to go and experience it. And I'm currently in CM, Thailand - it's really cheap here, it's just because I was extorted at the border a month ago that I'm short on cash. I had to play catch up all month. But I will be visiting them soon - I've actually already been to Laos :)
GODBLESS YOUR NEXT JUMP :)
VOTEUP & RESTEEMED !
My first jump****
Thank you!
:) welcome , stay strong !
Always! ;)
:))
Wow that's great! Congrats! :-)
Thank you!
Congrats on your achievement of 6 months!
What a journey you have gone on over in Thailand also, keep your chin up like your doing, you'll achieve anything you set your mind to .
Followed to see your updates of your skydive and your trip around Thailand.
Thanks a million! It's been such a wild journey...from rehab, to going home (NY) to hang out with family and begin recovery/outpatient/counseling, to now being all alone in Thailand and restarting my life - I have my own condo, I started a 2nd business (www.CoinPanda.io), and I found SteemIt - Which has become like a freaking 2nd job at this point!
But I love it. My life has taken such a turn - I couldn't be happier. And I'm so grateful for everything I do have - people say I don't have much because everything I own fits in 2 backpacks - I say I have everything I need: Because I'm alive, I have my health, my family is (for the most part, prayers for my Grandpa Roger) in great health, and I have a support system that would never turn their back on me.
I have opportunities every day to experience something new, and I learn every day.
So when people tell me I don't have enough?
I tell them that I have been blessed with more than I'll ever need, and that I'm one LUCKY S.O.B.
Thanks for your post, and thanks for following: I'll be writing some stories soon about Thailand and posting pictures. Would love to go skydiving (if this post pulls through, it pulls through) and if I get anything exxtra, it's going towards a cheap action cam! (They can be bought on the streets of Bangkok for under $100 USD).
Cheers <3
congrats man that's huge! Resteemed!
Thank you so much!!!
keep goin man! over a year for me! now ur a steemit junkie :) dang i should do some skydiving wanna wingsuit dive but u need 200 dives first
HUGE congrats to you too! That's awesome! Yeah haha i'm definitely a steemit junkie now ;)
I'd love to wingsuit dive too holy crap but yeah....200 dives is a lot haha. One day xDD
Well done budd @rogerblu