Funny how we can make up excuses to not get what we really want.
We often don't even see we are making excuses,
we believe we have "reasons".
But those reasons are ultimately only excuses, as if we really really really wanted something, we would do whatever it takes to get it. For most of us, when we want food we get it, when we want sleep we find a way to rest, and when we have to go to the bathroom, we find a place to go.
I find that it is not the getting of what we really really want that is truly the problem, but the underlying issue of why we aren't giving it to ourselves that needs to be addressed.
Maybe we want to wallow in our self-pity,
as it is a comfortable place we already know it to be.
Maybe we don't really want to make the effort
as we've become complacent and find it too much trouble.
Maybe we don't think we deserve it--feeling that we are unworthy.
What ever the reason/excuse, it really all comes down to a choice, as we are making choices every moment, whether we know it or not.
There have been many comments on my posts (about receiving a plane ticket to Steemfest from 
), something to the affect of: "I wish I could go, but...". 'I would love to, but I just know I can't......".
And I understand that feeling of being tied down to commitments and responsibility, or feeling incapable of meeting the financial requirements, etc., but I feel we can overcome what is holding us back.
I was asking myself what would be one of the worst case scenarios of why someone wouldn't be able to go to Steemfest. I imagined that a loved one is on their death bed and the Steemian is the sole caretaker of that person. That would be a pretty legit reason why not to go to Steemfest. However, even in a scenario like that, one must realize that it is a choice. It is about priorities. One wouldn't have to feel bad about missing Steemfest while choosing instead to sit with a loved one perhaps through the last minutes of their life on this earth. Of course one could chose to go to Steemfest, but then would likely be saying "I wish I could stay home with you while you die, but I am choosing to go to Steemfest instead."
Of course something must be sacrificed to have something else. We can have anything, but not everything all at once.
So...all we have to do is feel what is truly the priority. Then, focus on that and make it happen.
If you want to go to Steemfest remember - where there is a will there is a way.
With crowd funding and the extreme amount of rewards that are being earned right now, there is no reason why we can't get funds to help all those who really want to go. We have months to work on meeting our expenses, and we can lower our costs by making the trip as sustainable and inexpensive as we can. Of course most of us will need plane tickets to get there and some ground transportation of some sort to our destination. But, just because most everyone else will stay at the hotel, eat at restaurants, shop and pay for sight seeing, doesn't mean that has to be the mode of operation we choose. We may be sacrificing some of the general adventure by skipping on those niceties, but we will be enriched by other experiences that may enhance our journey and we may be even greater rewarded for our alternative choices. The finances can be handled and there is help on Steemit in so many ways.
So, if you want to go to Steemfest it is a possibility!!! All you need to do is decide what your priorities are. If your job or a commitment is of great value to you and you will stay home for that, then your choice is already made and you can be grateful you have things in your life you find to be of value. And if Steemfest is a priority, there are ways to make it happen.
Challenge yourself to address your core issues:
Move out of your comfort zone.
Know it will be worth your effort.
Remember just by being a Steemian - you are worthy just like everyone else.
Tune into the offerings, write your story, offer up your skills and abilities, upvote and resteem the blogs that are crowd funding to help others. Karma is real and you CAN make it if you choose it to be so.
Here are a few opportunities that are knocking right now:
@theprophet0 is paying it forward some more -- get in on his next offering.
@aggroed offers a chance for minnows here!
and @steemfestdreams is offering an opportunity here!!