Who's excited about Steem in 2019?
The whales have dived low into the depths. Most of them are hard at work on some dAPP that's going to change the world. We just need to hold on to a little faith and a lot of patience. It's not easy to break free of financial servitude.
The Best Thing I've Ever Found
I'm not exaggerating. Next to my wife, the amazing @CarrieAllen, Steem is the most incredible thing to ever find its way into my little life. Steem gives me hope like nothing else ever has, and not just the hope to be wealthy.
Steem gives me the hope for a future in which I can spend all my time creating.
In my sixteen months in this community, I have learned that nothing fills my soul like writing. I had decided that I was mediocre at best, and that no one could possibly be interested in reading my words, listening to my music or laughing at my jokes. With a flood of confidence I have never felt before (and some truly amazing people), Steem changed my life.
Credit Where Credit is Due
Now I would like to do some shoutouts. These people have made me feel important, special, inspired, and all that junk. This is the short list. I just wanted you all to know how incredible your presence in my life has been for the last year. Don't underestimate it. You're basically angels.
@Meno
You all know him; he's made quite a name for himself, always chiming in on the hot button issues. Starting to write songs last year was one of the bravest things I have ever done (I'm not especially brave). @Meno was my number one supporter in the #openmic community. He had me on his brand new radio show as a guest, calling me a "songwriter." This brought me more joy that I can effectively express, and I got addicted to that joy.
I have written over thirty songs now since joining Steem, and I'm extremely proud of some of them. A few months ago, 
@Meno - Please don't underestimate the power of your kindness, generosity, support and inspiration. I'm a relatively happy guy, and if you could have that much of an impact on my life, imagine what just being yourself does for others. Thank you.
@CarrieAllen
She's my wife. I love her... a lot. She always listens to my nonsense. She helps me with anything that I don't have the patience to learn, even if she has to learn it herself. She goes along with most of my crazy ideas, but she's not afraid to tell me when there's a stupid one. I have a lot of ideas; not all of them are winners.
@EngineWitty
Everybody knows Engine, the "Social Witness." He's got his hands in so many projects I couldn't even list them if I tried. He also wins for "Most clever handle on Steem." His support of The Playhouse and The Steem Monsters Tavern have kept me inspired and motivated, even as we perform them week after week with tiny audiences.
@EngineWitty - It's not about the size of the audience, it's about the joy. You've taught me how to make real connections with people without the convenience of proximity. Thank you for all your enthusiastic participation (for no rewards). You are the Lord of Darkness forever, and I can't wait to get to know you better in years to come!
@Aggroed
It's everybody's favorite witness (currently #2)! @Aggroed is an amazing mentor for so many people that he may not even realize he is mentoring. I doubt that I will ever have the discipline, focus, brilliance and vision of this beautiful Steemian. But I must be on the right track, because he believed in me enough to give me a job.
I look forward to creating hundreds (thousands?) of Steem Monsters stories for this wildly successful project. It's not the possibility of wealth that drives me. It's the possibility of being a full-time writer that's my dream. Thank you @Aggroed. I know we haven't spent much time talking, but I'm endlessly grateful for being invited onto this team.
2019 is going to be an amazing year as long as Angel Fish like these are making waves in the Steemy sea. I'm not going anywhere. I'm not interested in speculative value, I'm interested in JOY. Steem is an endless JOY faucet. Steem on.
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