If you've ever stood watch over something you'll know it can be mind-numbingly boring. You stand there watching for threats, vigilant, statue still...And wondering when your next break is! Below you can see a Queen's Guard at his post in front of Buckingham Castle, probably wondering when his next cup of tea and scone break is.
To be honest he might not be thinking that; These chaps take their duty very seriously and it is seen as an incredible honour to be selected as a Queen's Guard (dismounted) or Queen's Life Guard (mounted). These professional soldiers are the best in the business, impeccably turned out and perfectly practiced. It is all they do.
So, this post has literally nothing to do with that guy in the picture, but I'm sure someone will comment about it so I wanted to add some perspective.
I've been having a difficult time lately, in my real life. Nothing too disastrous, just stresses brought about by my ailing father's situation, my own health issues, my wife's (operation coming up soon), her mum who is recuperating from cancer treatment, a little thing called the world-wide pandemic...Financial stresses, cancellation of vacations, income reductions...You know, the normal.
I was going to write a post about something else tonight, but after a quick chat with 
He asked about dad, my really old cat Merlin and other things and I appreciated the gesture of friendship. It was at that point I told him Faith and I had gotten into an argument last night. Not a slanging match, just (many) heated words that can all be traced back to the high-degree of stress we have both been under.
I'm engaged in an experiment here on hive that is taking a lot of my time, I'll talk about it later, but had told Asher I was trying to write a post as we were chatting. He commented that he was concerned about me burning out. A good point too.
Here's the thing though...I answered him with hive is why I am not burned out. He understood what I meant right away.
You see, I use hive as an outlet, a buffer between the real world and myself. I use it as a way to leave my other concerns behind, or to pour them out here. There is a surprising amount of the real me between the lines in my posts if you care to see it. I use hive to record how I feel, though you may not see it in my simple posts. I use it to fill my head with everything but what's going on in my life for the distance it brings.
Hive is not just a blogging platform, certainly not a place to make money as I have not taken a single bit out in fiat to date, and it is certainly not something that has the potential to burn me out.
Hive is like that soldier standing guard above. It watches over me, guards my emotions, holds me accountable for them and guards my emotions, attitude, mindset and thoughts from attack from internal and external sources. (Myself and others I mean).
People sometimes ask me how I maintain the work-rate here, how I have endured, persisted and maintained a high degree of consistency...It's for the reasons above. It is because I let go of the reward being financial and made it emotional instead; And I receive a lot of reward of that nature.
I have been here for three years. June 13th, Saturday this week, will be the first day of my forth year and looking back I can say that hive is responsible for many positive moments, emotions and feelings in my life over that time. It hasn't always been that way, but life isn't either; There's ups and downs, but without hive I think I would be a little lost; Sure, I'd find something else, but I'd miss what I have found here, and the people.
Anyway, that's about it. You know what? I'm not going to clean this up. What you read here is straight out of my brain, raw thought. I think for such a topic it is best to leave it that way rather than sanitise it. So, please accept my apology if it doesn't read well.
Thank you for being a part of it. All of you.
Please feel free to comment, I think it would be nice to read them, to hear how you feel, how hive has been with you throughout the pandemic, or difficult times in your own lives. Don't feel obligated, just feel free to engage if you wish.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Be well
Discord: galenkp#9209