Well, we made it. Here we are at day ten, and miraculously, only half of us dropped off. The discipline and commitment it takes to contribute to something like Steemit for 10 straight days is remarkable. Add to that the assignment load you were working under, and all of you should be proud.

Side note, I have not forgotten the last two days assignments. I had a huge event to attend with my wife last night and simply couldn't finish everything.I will. This is the biggest reason dolphinschool should probably be just a tad shorter

To those who couldn't quite finish the race. My hat is off to you. Life is busy. We have to set priorities and know that I'm still here to support you in any way I can. You've done some excellent work and you should be proud as well!

But, today isn't about that.

We're not quite finished yet and I want to share one more lesson.

We've talked about the attention economy, and how we, here at Steemit, are one of the purest possible representations of what it means to pay for people's attention. Out of the digital ether, we've grown an economy that was recently market capped at 1 Billion US Dollars.

Can you even grasp how amazing that is?

When Satoshi Nakamoto, whoever he, she, it, they, are, launched Bitcoin almost a decade ago, did they really understand the revolution they were starting? I wonder.

But, as in all markets, if people are going to invest in a thing, even if it "costs" them nothing out of pocket (except vote power) they want to know they are investing in the real deal.

They want to see you for who you really are. No, I'm not necessarily talking about your identity. There are plenty of people who are here anonymously, that still manage to vulnerable and open.

Just like those people standing in line for hours at the Antique Roadshow

They want to know, is this the real deal, or am I voting for someone that turns out to not believe a word they've said, who is just here for profit and attention, and will say anything to get it? Am I being inspired, or am I just being trolled?

Are you for real?

Are you?

In an age when transparency is prized, are you showing your real face to the world, or are you hiding behind an intricately contrived mask? So, I'm going to put a challenge to you.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it

Is to tell me a story about the real you. It can take any form. It can be a video, a song, a painting, a poem, a photo, whatever. But, here is what I want to challenge you. Share something that costs you something.

PLEASE! Before you start, don't send me links to nude photos of you!

I don't want to see it. That may be your truth and you may need to do that for some reason, at some point in your life. If that's how you feel, more power to you, but that's not what I mean.

It's at this point, I need to take a minute to get real. I don't have any deep dark secrets, I never have. In fact, the things I hide about myself are so mundane half of you would probably say "me too" to each of them, but here's the thing. It doesn't make it any less scary to me. And, you can ask anyone that knows me in the "real world" I'm not one to talk about fear, I don't fear much at all. But, there are things I could say that might help someone else. Because they perceive me one way, and in reality, I may be going through things that they totall understand.

Empathy

As an actor, it's a tool we use, to find a point of connection between us and the realities we're asked to portray. Anthony Hopkins had to find some tiny piece of himself, inside the monster of Hannibal Lecter. It's what allows us to understand each other's weaknesses.

So, I'm working on a story about my own journey toward accepting myself in the stage of life I'm in. Or, rather, changing the things I can, and accepting the rest. (No, I've never been a "friend of Bill" that's not my struggle) I'll share it separately. It's nothing traumatic, or shocking, but it's where I'm at and it's not something I like to talk about.

So, what do you struggle with?

Let's lay some ground rules. The danger in this type of writing is that, rather than become cathartic for us, and healing for the reader, it turns into emotional pornography, where we share ugly feelings that don't belong in a public setting, just to feel better. That's not what I want.

Only you can decide what's safe for you to share. (don't forget your audience, too)
Consider the people in your life, if this story impacts them, you might get their input before sharing it.
Please, do not betray anyone's confidence to fulfill this assignment. If you said you'd keep a secret, die with it, or wait until they are gone, or take it to the proper involved parties if you need to.
I am not asking you to "lay your sins on the altar" either. There's a time and place for that, in more intimate and trusting surroundings.
Remember, the blockchain is forever. Make sure this is something you're okay with being out there.

Other than that, it is up to you. Whatever your struggle, share it. There are a few other things I suggest you avoid, due to the nature of steemit.

Don't beg for help, money, or investment.
Try to write this in an encouraging way, or you will get a lot of "I agree" comments that will just get darker and darker.
It could also be something you've worked through or over come.
Leave your audience with a note of hope. What are you looking to? Faith, art, relationships? What keeps you going?

I told you we would go out with a bang! and here it is!

To the students of the first ever Dolphinschool Bootcamp! My gratitude is overwhelming. You allowed me into your work and took my advice with humor and humility. You worked your asses off to meet deadlines and produce work to the standard required. You shared with your fellow classmates, encouraged them, and I think built some friendships that will last here in a big, big place!

Going forward, I'm going to be asking you to partner with me.

As you grow on steemit, please consider adopting a plankton or two from time to time. Talk to them, encourage them, show them the ropes, loan them SP if you get in that situation where you can. Don't forget what it was like.

Then, also, any of you that would like to be an ongoing part of this project, let me know. As I formulate the plan for going forward, I'll find a way for us to discuss this off platform. I think it's been great to lay this experiment out in the open, where everyone can see what we did, but it also has taken a tole on my usual blog voters.

So, I'm open to any and all suggestions if you'd like to be a part, or, if not, we wish you well! This has been the highlight of this young year for me so far. I'd throw you all a parade, but it seems the US parade budget is being reserved for an overgrown child to satisfy his ego at the moment! LOL