I have never been great with computers. I love writing, learning new skills, and especially surfing! I have been writing articles for a few months now, and sending them away to potential employers. Despite my persistence, I had been less than successful in launching my writing career. But then I found Steemit.com.
For those of you following me for my investment tips, I will release an article showing the true valuation of Bitcoin later today (don’t worry I’ve got one in the works for STEEM too). For now, I just wanted to say a massive thanks to the Steemit community. In a world gone mad with people clawing over each other to compete for individual success, it is refreshing to be supported by a community. The steemit community. Here’s my journey so far:
I completed the registration process which was simple enough even for me. I eagerly checked my emails every hour. Sometimes I just sat and stared at the screen, willing the account verification to come through. But you know what they say? “a watched inbox, never updates”….. at least it’s something like that.
A few sleepless nights later “Bing” the sound of a new email. This time it wasn't an offer of a new Russian wife, or the promise to dramatically increase the size of my penis (I never did figure out the whole spam filter thing), it was the email I'd been waiting for. Finally, I could join the Steemit community and let the people (not some know it all editor) choose for themselves whether I was showing enough promise to continue writing. I copied my account password, fumbled around the screen of my laptop scrambling to find the Steemit login tab which I had setup 3 days prior. A quick copy and paste of the password and I thought I was set. My heart sank as I read the message “This username does not exist”.
“Fish you IDIOT!!!” I thought to myself, “You really should have spent less time in the surf, and more time on computers as a kid”…. I guess things were a bit different when I was a grom (surfer talk for kid). Shattered but determined I made my way to the Steemit.com community chat room. I had never actually ever been on a chat room before (unless you count tinder, lol). Within seconds of explaining my problem I was answered by a legend going by the handle “south.paw”.
South.paw patiently worked through some troubleshooting, and my stupid questions like "What do you mean try a new browser? Is that computer talk for a different laptop?" Finally after opening in a new browser (a little tip for anyone having the same problem) we had succeeded. I was beyond excited and so grateful. Understanding that this is a community based on reward for effort and contribution, I really wanted to pay south.paw .
“Hey mate, I really appreciate the help, how do I pay you on Steemit?” I wrote. “np Fish, just happy to help”. My head pulled back and my eyes widened in disbelief. “Hang on a sec, what am I missing?” I thought. This person had gone out of their way to help me and was effectively refusing payment for the service. But then it hit me. This community is not about individual wealth, it is about collective wealth. Not just financial wealth either. We are creating a community with great knowledge, amazing talents, and inspiring ideas. Not one of us is as strong as an individual as we are as a team. I really hope this article inspires anyone reading it to support the community that is supporting you.
Vote, like, post, and share, because that’s how we inspire each other. That’s how we give each other a pat on the back and say “Well done mate!” or even just "hang in there, you're doing great". And that is how we will all be wealthier as a community regardless of money. By moving forward together.
Stay stoked, keep frothing, and always remember… an informed investor is a successful investor.
Cheers, Fish (The Beach Bum Investor)
As always, image by legendary surf photographer (and soon to be Steemit community member) Matt Brockie