Steemit's True Strength
Some people believe the Steem currency and/or the blockchain the platform is built on are the most impressive things about Steemit. Although these two elements play an integral role, they would be nothing if it weren’t for an indispensable third element, our people.
How do I realize when a person truly understands this platform? When I hear them genuinely say the most valuable aspect of Steemit is the community.
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." -Peter Drucker
Time and time again I’ve witnessed Steemit bring people together from around the world, birth some amazing projects and initiatives, and even make a few people’s dreams come true. Steemit has been an unparalleled connector, idea incubator, and a life-changer for me.
This platform has been especially kind to creatives, offering us a much needed alternate pathway to success. Today I’d like to shine the spotlight one such creative, the artist Juan Parker (
Juan In Chicago
I met Juan and his wife Karen on a shuttle bus from the Cancun airport around twenty years ago. Juan and I became friends almost instantly, journeyed around Riviera Maya together with our wives. One night we visited Senior Frogs in Cancun and there were conga lines with free shots of tequila. We got blitzed and sang what was probably the world’s worst rendition of Bob Marley’s, “No Woman, No Cry” in front of hundreds of strangers at Senior Frogs in Mexico. The crowd clapped for us, I think they admired our enthusiasm.
PO(b)K (Proof of Bad Karaoke. Cancun, Mexico ~ Circa 1999)
Juan had his art portfolio with him on that trip and by week’s end we decided to work together on a children’s book, “If I Had Thumbs Like People Do”, which we published in 2003.
Over the past few years I've watched Juan battle (and conquer) cancer, congestive heart failure, and continuously step outside of his comfort zone to achieve his goals. He's grown tremendously both personally and professionally as a result.
Cross-Border Collaborations
Juan is a prime example of how this platform can quickly transform the lives of creatives. He worked hard building his art career, locally and regionally, for thirty years before it finally started to blossom. For the first forty years of his career Juan was limited to selling his work in local art shows, galleries, or by word of mouth. Now thanks to another Steemian from Canada, his work has a global reach.
Recently, Juan partnered with web designer, poet, and podcaster Scott Gardiner (
Win Win
Even when our morale is suffering and price of Steem isn't as high as we'd like there are still many opportunities to be found on this platform. All we have to do is open our eyes and our minds. If we focus on these opportunities we will win no matter what.
This subtle shift in mindset is what separates the successful people from the dreamers.
Many thanks to Juan and Scott for providing a perfect example of just how well Steemit works for creatives! Please take a moment to visit Juan's website by clicking the link below and sign up for his mailing list. It would mean the world to him.
Click Here To Visit Juan’s New Website
Cheers and thank you for reading!
Eric
*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.
Alarm Clock Dawn, one of the first full length novels published on the blockchain, and the book that started it all for me can be found HERE. Or Click Here to read it for free on the Steemit blockchain
My book on meditation, The Perfect Pause, is priced at $12.99 (paperback) and $4.99 (eBook). Buy the paperback and receive the eBook for free!
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