As you can tell from my drastically reduced posting frequency, life has been a bit hectic lately. Thankfully, these days my hours are filled with incredible stuff. Almost each of my waking hours is occupied by thoughts or ideas about the HardFork film series. At times it feels like a total immersion in this futuristic world. Making a film is much more of an intense of a process than writing a novel. As our team is learning, building an entire world from scratch is both extremely fun and also very hard work.
For the first time since I was a boy I am beginning to feel glimpses of true freedom and security instead of constant worry and doubt when I think about the future. A couple of days ago, in the midst of busyness, I happened upon a rare moment where life stood still. It was though suddenly the pull of gravity became three times stronger and for a second my head swam.
I had just finished making flight and hotel arrangements for SteemFest2 in Lisbon. I chose a flight that connected in Paris when an overwhelming feeling of euphoria (or more accurately a "holy $h!t" moment) hit me. I realized another of my dreams had come true because of Steemit.
Granted, we’re only at the Paris airport for six hours. From what I’ve read, this is the absolute bare minimum needed to make a quick tour into the city. Even if my wife and I decide not to try our luck and do the power tour of the City of Light, at least we’ll see the Eiffel Tower from the plane.
For some people a six hour layover in Paris would be no cause for excitement, it would be just another day...I’m not one of those people. I didn't take my first flight until I was twenty-four. I'm someone who pursued being a successful author for so long without a break that even I began to believe it would never come true. Just a few years ago traveling to Europe was only a wish that may not have ever come to fruition. Before I found this platform I had nothing more than a loose vision of a dream, Steemit has brought it all into focus.
I never want to stop feeling the awe for all of this or the gratitude for all of you who've supported me. My time here on this blockchain has been a mind blowing journey. It’s been an honor to be part of history in the making. I feel the core HardFork team is challenging me in some wonderful ways and elevating me, by proxy, in the process. The intelligence, hard work, and dedication I’m seeing from the younger members of our Hardfork team make me feel more optimistic about our future in general.
Some very exciting things will be happening in this next year (some of them I can’t yet reveal.) Even though I’m not posting as often, I hope you stay with me for the ride. After a long span of dormancy, my dreams are coming true. I'm excited to share each and every one of my upcoming, "holy $h!t moments" with you. : )
With Gratitude,
*I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.
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Fantastic post, Eric. I'm super excited to see where you guys take this series. Knowing you, I'm sure you'll give the whole thing your unique touch of "experienced expertise and gifted knowledge", making it into a sure-fire hit.
Looking forward greatly to it, sir. :)
Thank you, Ezzy! The team is already taking it to some amazing places. I've never worked with such a group of talented individuals in my life. Really appreciate your support, man!
Gratitude leads to abundance!
^So very true!
As I was reading your post, I realized that life is challenging for us because without all the ups and downs and obstacles, we could never have that "aha" moment of total euphoria and bliss without our past experiences and long journey. We would have no means of gauging the wonderful moment without the other times. If everything was easy the "aha" moment would be another day.
When you wrote that moment of total joy of the present and future, I thought of you when you were younger and going through some challenging times. Would you have believed it then how your life would become this amazing ride of joy, awesome new adventures, exciting people like yourself and a team of gifted and dedicated members who want a better future?
You've reached another milestone in your amazing life that I know you appreciate very much. Experience this wonderful feeling of optimism and love. Remember the feel and absorb every moment so that you can share the pure feelings of love, happiness, hope and gratitude through your writings, poems and stories. I am very happy for you and the team. It shows everyone that by working together, any thing is possible! Take care! .....Cabbagepatch :D
You are so spot on with your assessment of the lessons learned through struggle leading to bliss, @cabbagepatch. I've come to view "the downs" as where there is a kernel of something still to learn for me. By the same token I try to enjoy "the ups" as reward for learning the lesson's life tries to teach.
We have such high hopes for this project, deep down inside it feels as though the series is destined to be made and if it wasn't our team it would be another one.
Thanks so much for your words, sorry it's taking so long to respond these days but please know your comments are always appreciated! Take care and enjoy the long weekend!
Please don't worry about having to always comment back. I know how busy you are. But I do truly appreciate all the very kind and thoughtful comments you write. You are quite a unique and soothing essence that you bring a lot of peace and serenity to the reader. You do so much good that I hope the Universe gives back to you ten fold! Keep moving forward to your destiny! :D
Fantastic post! So thrilling to be a part of this incredibly creative and already immeasurably fulfilling journey with you Eric!
I was able to get back to this post as promised today, and left my updated comments there above.
Keep up the good work Doug!!!
Thank you, my friend! I can't even tell you what an honor it's been and so much fun! I'm trying to breathe and enjoy each moment because there will never be another "first film project" for me. : ) I really appreciate the fact that you reached out on 7/4.
So many good updates!
I've been enjoying the hardfork series posts, and continue to be amazed at their quality.
I know this may be cliche, but it truly looks like the best is yet to come for you Eric. Blessings to you!
Amen Lydon, well said my man.
I like watching how life changing it is for the people directly involved, that is a constant theme of the updates!!
That is true! One step of change in each update.
Thank you so much, Lydon. The stuff that is being created now (but not yet shared) is blowing my mind. We all can't wait to share it with the community. It's really coming together now. : ) Blessings to you as well.
Someone interviewed me recently here on steemit, and one of the questions was "who do you consider to be the 5 most influential steemit users." You were one of the people I listed because you have been an inspiration to me since I first joined a year ago. And it still continues! I am so happy for you and thank you!
Wow, what an honor @uniwhisp, thank you! I remember you from "way back" (in Steemit time). Congratulations on your one year milestone!
Thanks, Eric!
Love hearing the enthusiasm and true joy you're experiencing in life these days, cheers!
Thanks, Ruth. I wake up with my head full of ideas and my body full of energy these days. It's a great feeling!
Ah yes, so awesome, I love that! Makes me feel good just hearing it
I know that feeling very well. It makes one feel very fortunate.
I hope this time I'll be able to shake hands with you at Steemfest 2.
All the best to you Eric, this hard fork series has me intrigued although I'm not sure yet what it is. But it's fun watching it unfold slowly.
I'm sure you can relate to that statement, @exyle! We will, for sure, have to have a beer together and chat this time. Thanks a lot, I really enjoy your work.
I guess that is what we all wish to attain. A hectic life but the stuff we are doing are things that we enjoy and bring us happiness.
Steemit has done so much for me. It has assisted me in paying my rent, gas and electricity. The main thing I want in life is financial security. Steemit helps but I hope one day it will be able to cover my expenses and I don't have to worry about constant bills.
This one burning passion of mine has lead me commenting as much as I can. I've also made a post everyday for over a month now and I try to keep them high quality
Well I wish you the best of luck with the Hardfork series @ericvancewalton
Thank you very much @arckrai and congrats on your journey to financial freedom. Your comments are always very thoughtful!
Paris, such a beautiful city! 6 hours is not a lot; I think the metro takes you in 30 minutes to the city centre, if you get the fast one. The slow one is 45 minutes. Sounds you are on an amazing tour in your life! Really cool to read such positive post on Steemit these days. I'm really happy for you! :)
Thank you! From what I'm hearing 6 hours is the bare minimum needed to venture into the city. Honestly, I'm not sure if we'll chance it. We're taking the red-eye from Minneapolis to Paris so the sleeping pods in the airport might be how we spend our layover.
Paris Airport is not that bad, good sandwiches at Paul's.
Congrats man on the movie!
Thank you and congrats to you for taking the leap into writing full time! That was wonderful news!
I am so proud of you man, I am so tired after that last post, I am heading offline but leaving this up to read on my first tab in the AM.
You are a cool dude.
As promised I kept this up and got back to it ASAP.
It is funny because when I read the first few lines about that layover in Paris, I knew exactly, almost to the word, what you were driving at in this post.
-- It IS a big deal.
-- It IS relateable by many people!
I am so glad I have been able to talk with you and get to know you.
You are a shining light in life to many of us man, just like the shining lights of Paris will be to you, and as the gif you included here of the Eiffel Tower lit up.
Thank you very much, Barry! It's been great getting to know you too. Can't wait to meet you in Lisbon, man!
Eric, so glad that things are going so well . We are on tip toes waiting to learn all the wonderful things coming Steemit's way.
Thanks @team101, I can't wait to share them! 😊
Congrats. Hard work always pay off in the end :)
I agree! Thank you @sstefan!
You deserved all this from the very first start, Sir.
Congrats and Keep going.
I appreciate that @mindfreak! I'll keep going as long as the muse visits me!
Hardwork, determination, patience and faith are the secret ingredients for success. Continue inspiring others! Thank you for this post, you uplift my fighting spirit. :)
regards,
Mike
I really liked this post keep up the good work
Thank you so much for the kind words, Mike!
Your post is filled with such wonderful sentiment and overflowing with information. You drew me in with youthful banter while filling my head with valuable knowledge , thank you. Your article gave me information that I found extremely valuable I can't wait to read more. 😂
Thanks and I'm very glad you enjoyed it!
Congratulation bro i hope your post will be in hot list.
Thanks!
ongrats. Hard work always pay off in the end :)
Thanks, that's definitely true!
I never thought that the pictures were sparkling.Nice!
Thanks, it's called a ".gif" it's actually a short snippet of video. I try to choose subtle ones that look like photos.
Great content. I am looking forward to more posts and I will check your book out. I am a newcomer to Steemit..it is exciting to see all of the different things steemians write about. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks and welcome to this amazing platform!
You're right, my friend, I share your words, you're very good, thank you for your contribution
I appreciate your support!
Very nice
Great post
You are always an inspiration sir... Recently one of my dreams has come true and I am also feeling great... Making my parents proud of my success is another achievement.... Will be there with you to hear more exciting things from you next year.... 😊
Thanks and congratulations on your success! Cheers to you!
Nice post. It's inspiring to see people share their success and their gratitude for it.
Thank you!
Great post
Thanks much!
Excellent post brother, I am always pending what you post I love your blog. A big greeting from parten from @joserc.vzla
Thank you!
nice story
Thanks!
Amazing to start the day by reading your post here! It is 7AM in Switzerland and I have enjoyed reading about your journey and your excitment for what is still yet to come!! I hope the project you and the HardFork team are working on will be a massive success!!! Blessings and always the best, Ruxandra!!
Thank you so much! I would really like to see Switzerland someday, it looks like an amazing place to be!
You cannot beat Switzerland and Zurich lake on a blessed clear summer day :)! We were lucky enough to get full panoramic view right at our doorstep https://dtube.video/v/ruxonsteemit/ddp5cl67#!/v/ruxonsteemit/ddp5cl67 Have a look for some inspiration if you find the time :) Best, Ruxandra!
Wow paris 😍
I like this paris and eiffel tower
I can't wait to see it!
bring me there
We are all dream chasers and some of us will end up achieving our goals while others continue to try and struggle. I believe Steemit has provided us with a platform for voicing our opinions and ideas. For those who dream of rallying up a community of activists to pursue a life altering cause that can benefit mankind, you now have the opportunity to do so.
Yes, Steemit provides an array of excellent opportunities!
RoyalForest look at her photos
Congrats! Am excited to hear about the film series and am looking forward for what is to come!
Thank you!
Thanks for what you are doing in support of the steemits. It's a great feeling when you realize dreams really do come true. Much happiness on your journey. Until we see you again. 🐓🐓
Thanks for the support!
Wow, congratulations :) Reading your post was really inspiring to me, as I am new to Steemit and a writer myself. You sound like a great guy. And I think I would be just as excited as you about a 6 hour layover in Paris...I couldn't not go out and visit as much as I could.
Welcome to the platform and I'm glad the post resonated with you! Best of luck with your writing as well!
Thank you very much! Good luck to you too! :)
You are right...our dream Will come true as long as we are consitant on our works. Now, i am really optimist on this platform thought i have never withdrawl yet even only one time. I see many successful steemians out there where they were like me..The key of making dream become true is hardwork.
So true! Hard work, persistence, identifying what works (and what doesn't), and readjusting your course.
I can tell your working hard..dont forget to stop and relax from time to time to keep yourself grounded. Thanks for the post
You're welcome and thanks for the reminder to stop and rest from time to time!
This post was very informative thank you for sharing
you have my upvote
Keep smiling, reading, writing and voting!!!
@mannyfig1956
Can't wait to read your book on meditation. :)
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it!
I'm so glad that it happened. it is always a pleasure for dreams to become reality
Thank you!
Thank you too @ericvancewalton!
great work, I am also a novelist and know what it takes to make it, a lot of work. now following you for updates
Thanks! Wonderful, man! I wish you well in your writing!
My next novel is set to be released on 9/27, so much to do in promotional work until then
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
A saturated sip of euphoria∞§∞
: )
=)>
'When you dream on your own, it's only a dream, when you dream of many is already a reality. Shared utopia is the mainspring of history. "
By Elder Camara